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DEMO 2024 - EP by DEATH MASK Review

Before I get into the review I would like to give a quick overview of the band. Death Mask is a beatdown band from Richmond, VA and I was lucky enough to see them on June 1st at the VFW. They were the openers for the three bands after them (Torment, Westmain, and OK Buddy). I will say for being only an opener they definitely set the tone and energy for the night. I’ve been to other hardcore or grind shows, but that was my first beatdown band I heard live and they definitely were a great first experience. For me to know that I enjoyed the music I have to be able to close my eyes and lose all focus on the outside world and just immerse myself in the music and that’s what I got from them. Now without wasting any more time let’s run down their four demos that were released a while ago, but I just got distracted from writing this piece and making a video.

You have Intro, Trash Bag Burial, Ripped 2 Shreds, and Lacerated Sight. Intro begins with a small clip from the movie Saw II. It’s the Venus Fly Trap scene where a man named Michael must take a key out from his eye socket to survive. I don’t actually know if there is any relevance to the song, but you can make ties between their name and a quote from the movie. Jigsaw calls the contraption around Michael’s neck a “Death Mask” and well the band’s name is Death Mask that’s all there was when I was looking over it. Of course there could be a better meaning; however, I’m only looking at the surface. I really do enjoy a good guttural scream if that is the right word. I find it funny because sounds that usually have me frowning or having a disgusted look on my face when the music is exceptional. There’s not much else to say besides how strong their instruments are. It's a good consistent beat which I enjoy greatly without many switchups that might distort the sound and my amusement along with it.

The second one down the list is Trash Bag Burial. It comes out with another intro from some horror scene in either a movie or TV show (I don’t know where exactly from). With momentum comes out the opening chord strike after a little bit of gunshots. I really like the drum here as it keeps a solid tempo going for you to catch onto and listen through. At about 40 seconds is where the first vocals start and gotta say they always pass the bar. When I heard them the first time I was surprised by it, because sometimes when I go to hardcore shows or watch them live sometimes the vocals just don’t fit with the tone of the instruments. From what I’ve heard from them this would never be something I experience as each member plays so well together. Something else I would like to note is how well they’re able to transition between fast paced moments and the not so fast moments. I’ve gone to a couple hardcore shows where I feel like I’m head banging on tempo, but then I feel like I’m spazzing out as the sound took a shift I wasn’t expecting.

Again their third song, Ripped 2 Shreds, starts off with some movie or TV show quote, then comes in with the guitar playing notes to make it feel like you’re anticipating this arrival for something or someone. Basically what the wedding song does for when the bride is about to walk down the aisle. I have to say that it’s very hard to critique this EP as I really do love their attitude and effort when playing. I mean seriously out of those four Ripped 2 Shreds has to be my favorite as the instruments just come off strong and don’t die down one bit. They keep coming back with better and greater sounds. The best way to describe this is that if the song were edited into one of those 10 hour long loops on youtube I wouldn’t be disappointed. A word of appraisal from me is that their songs have their own individualism to them. They most likely are just using the same instruments for each song, but each one brings their own feeling with it. Which I really do appreciate, as sometimes I see that certain bands have songs that are just a little too similar in sound.

Lastly, their song Lacerated Sight actually does not have an intro and just dives straight into the music. I enjoy how they just go straight into playing with something that keeps going back and forth. Noting the quick changes into another riff or beat. This one definitely carries energy behind perfect for any of you who like to dance hardcore. That is one thing I would note that when I saw them live there was this guy who was dancing crazy. He was jumping around with windmill arms while simultaneously bending his knees so that he was somewhat squatting. After a few seconds of the wind up he would then jump backwards into the crowd behind him still windmilling his arms. As I moved away I just stood in amazement at the sheer energy that guy had on him. Yet that was the first band to where I just didn’t stand still and headbang while at a hardcore show, so I give Deathmask props for that.

https://www.instagram.com/deathmaskrva/

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Louder Than Love - Soundgarden

Soundgarden’s sophomore album is Louder Than Love. The story is that after touring for their debut album, Ultramega OK, Soundgarden would drop SST and would sign with A&M Records. Louder Than Love would be Soundgarden’s first album under a major label. Released on September 5th, 1989. Music enjoyers compromise that this album has a more metal-grunge leaning sound.

Due to some of their lyrics and what they were talking about the album had a parental advisory sticker tacked onto it. Moving past that Soundgarden’s second album was able to chart Billboard 200 at number 108. Soundgarden had the ability to go on tours throughout North America and even Europe. Hiro Yamamoto, the original bassist, would have his last debut on Louder Than Love.

Again I will be speaking on a couple of their songs and transcribing the feeling I receive from them. Their first song on the album is Ugly Truth. Just from the name I can tell that the meaning could be something you wouldn’t want to see or hear as it’s ugly. When using the word ugly in anything it brings a revolting sense of feeling like it couldn’t par with the beauty of other things. The beginning lines are, “You hide your eyes but the ugly truth just loves to give it away.” I see it as you can’t shield yourself from not viewing what is going on as the ugly truth will always show itself to the viewer. In a sense it tells the person of how their actions are wrong and will be corrected. You can’t remove yourself from the ugly truth since it’ll find a way around all the blockades to still be seen. 

I can understand when people were saying Soundgarden had a more metal-grunge sound for this album. It’s prevalent in songs like Hands All Over and Gun. When looking up how to describe metal music they say it has loud distorted guitars, emphatic rhythms, dense bass-and-drum sound and vigorous vocals. Hands All Over starts off low with a shaking sense from the rising and falling of the instruments creating a wave like movement.​ The sound is very categorizing as you can hear the guitar playing a riff that’s almost like a warning. Until it rises to begin the vocals of a harmonious sweet-sounding ahhh. After Chris says, “Can’t touch me,” a striking guitar sound emerges. With no less of an impact from the bass and drums. The guitar has this riff where it strums a couple notes for a little, then double backs for a sound that’s almost like Thayil is playing another track over what he is already playing. Now personally I don’t know if I would say Chris’ voice is for this metal sound as it is slightly high pitched, but that doesn’t take away from his emotional vocals in a more grunge sound. I still love how he brings in so much energy into the recording and how well the instruments carry with Chris.

I don’t know the whole story behind many of these songs, but I do say from just listening and interpreting in my own style I am greatly amused by the stories. Many of the songs speak on wrongs that are in the world and expose them. In their song Loud Love there’s a lyric that really strikes me, “I’ve been deaf now I want noise.” I interpret it as someone who may be politically or socially active trying to voice their opinion for something that really matters to them. They will no longer stay silent on what is happening around the world. There are songs on this album that speak of resistance and gaining power, but in a way that makes you a tyrant or a king. I love the emotion Soundgarden is able to capture. You can really see their talent here and their passion.

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Ultramega OK - Soundgarden

Soundgarden’s debut album was Ultramega OK released on October 31, 1988. People have described it as Stooges/MC5 meets Zeppelin/Sabbath sound. The album has a sound of lustfulness with striking guitar riffs and a hint of dread with the vocals. Using Soundgarden’s website and the information uploaded we know this was the only album they released while under SST Records. 

Their first song Flower is quickly overtaken by someone’s vainness for themselves. I see it’s about a woman’s confidence that is soon to fade from just as life fades as you grow older. Supported by lyrics like, “Treated like a Queen, she was on borrowed self esteem,” this means she had the power, looks, and attention that anyone would dream for, but all this was to do with others’ work and not feeling confident about yourself through your own means. We could even relate this back to an actual flower: how its beauty depends on the care it receives and that it’ll slowly fade away only to wilt and die.

I’ll be sharing my two different anecdotes on how I perceive three songs and in their order. Unsure whether their songs 665 and 667 are made to be paired together; however, I picture it as your descent and rise from hell. 665 and 667 are the two numbers between the infamous 666 which can correlate to the devil or hell. The song 665 acts as a descent into madness with words that seem to be played backwards and sound that is puzzling to the mind. I imagine myself in a land of fog and dead trees with thorn bushes all around. I get transfixed on trying to find my bearings in this wasteland where I encounter the struggle to live at its highest volume. In this case we can even choose their song Beyond the Wheel to act as your trip in hell. It’s a fighting song where the warrior is singing about his prep for battle. There’s a line that goes, “There is a churning storm of hailing burning bones.” It’s easy to picture what imagery is being used, but I can interpret it as the walk up to the big castle in which you fight the final boss. 

Also in Beyond the Wheel it recites Cornell talking to his mother about how his father is trying to make a proper home by uprooting other people’s lives. How he will protect his boys by teaching them the skills they need but this is only an act to save himself. Next, listening to 667 this might be the father’s mindset for how things are in order to survive. 

For the rest of the album Soundgarden really shows their ability to switch between rhythm bearing or chord striking pieces. Talking about their song Smokestack Lightning and how it’s heys and oohs really transfix this hip moving electric zing to it. While other songs like He Didn’t are seen as a man rejoicing to the crowd of another man’s struggle with everyday mundane life of doing absolutely nothing. He literally didn’t. Nazi Driver has a hard and prophet-like sound. The song is a plan on the story that will unfold as he rises to the “prophecy” that has been foretold. 

Looking past Soundgarden’s two earlier EPs, this album is a great introduction on how their earlier punk work would transfix into a classic rock and roll sound. Many say it was only a matter of time before the crossover. As for my final opinion, I had a hard time at first getting into the music, but once I removed my preordained thoughts on how music should sound I greatly appreciated their work and what Soundgarden has offered for their debut album.

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Conclusions on Camping In Alaska

Wholeheartedly, I love Camping In Alaska. I found them when I was 14 going into my freshman year of high school when I was a little worse for wear. I know it might seem weird to love a band for helping explain their angst and woes, but I am so grateful for what they've done. Not to make this too weepy I had my down moments for the first half of high school and this band really stuck with me. I really relied on them to help take my pain away and when you listen to their music late at night while laying on your bed just staring away it feels like the universe has been solved. I genuinely held them to this degree and still do. Yes, there are other bands that have similar feelings to this such as Macseal; however, CIA just has a small twinge of difference. Maybe by the different recording styles that show throughout the different albums. Or where they were in their lives that fueled the energy and feeling behind each piece of work. They speak to the masses in their own individualistic way.

It's common knowledge that their debut album, Please Be Nice, has gained the most recognition and helped boost a new generation of listeners. Unknowingly, talking to the thousands of listeners who felt the same way at that age or another at some point in their life. I initially found them by their infamous song “c u in da ballpit” and would continue showing my friends the band by this song. Their lyrics spoke to my old depressed, angst self better than any other music. I was wrapped up in my sadness and this helped finish the cake. Sorry, if you took it the wrong way I’m not saying their album made me more depressed; instead, it helped speak for my sadness when I didn't know what it was. It spoke to me and my venture to be free in the iconic line, “When I can’t sleep I’ll drive my car to the top of Monte Sano and I’ll watch the cars pass by and I’ll feel alright.” Having that urge to drop everything and just be free or go with the wind was one flame that never blew out. This allowed me to escape in a state of mind so prevalent it brought tears to my eyes.

It’s really important to me seeing bands playing an iconic feeling that was huge and impactful in their life over what might top charts. Still it blows my mind how they didn't get the early recognition they deserved when this was first released. Maybe it was made ahead of its time to really have the effect like it does currently. In interviews I read they are said to have much of their love for playing from wanting to share their music with others (from doorsatseven.org). When I first found them they had less than 500 Youtube subscribers and weren’t even on Spotify. I just found them one random night and was mesmerized by this new sound. My two greatly passionate years filled by mid-west emo and post-emo were fueled by CIA. No one topped them in my mind, but the love for them wasn't up to par with how great of artists they were. Then, over the years I saw how they climbed and climbed in their notoriety. This brought a huge smile to my face seeing my favorite band become more and more popular. I could sense how amazing they were and only wanted for more people to see this as well.

I know this isn't much of a review. I mean I can't really review any of their music without saying how it's the best. The only circumstance I have is to give context behind the band and what ignited the flame behind each release. This was merely a rant induced by my need to once again show people how much I truly love this band. Now don't just base this off of my opinion figure your views on your own by going and listening to them. Personally, I would recommend Freight Train or Bathe. Alas, this is a personal matter so choose whatever you feel like.

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All About Anesthesiac

The first time I saw Anesthesiac was at Trevor’s birthday party at the VFW. They label themselves as having a scrudge sound. Which I can only believe is a mix of screamo and sludge metal. Anesthesiac helps to revitalize the hardcore punk scene even while adding elements of doom metal.

Anesthiac would start in Ashburn, Virginia with band members Aaralyn Shelton - vocals, Damian Bruffey - drums, Irons - bass, Link Wells - guitar, and Trevor Vogt - guitar. In their bio on spotify they state how they got many of their following due to consistently having shows and by meticulously practicing/writing schedules. From the two times I have seen them they always leave me in a profound state. Like when you eat something spectacular, but hate how you didn’t savor it. The first time I saw them I wasn’t expecting anything as I had never heard of them, but my expectations were blown away. Hearing their vocalists screams are on a whole different level live. It made me an instant fan after hearing them only once. Both times after their set ended I wished for just one more song. They bring a great vibe to every show they play which shows their dedication to their craft.

Currently, they have two EPs, Backstabber released in 2023 and Scrudge Comp. 1/Scrudge Dumpster released in 2023. Along with a single with two demos listed. Off of their Backstabber EP I would say my favorite song is Not Forever. I know this is their number one ranked song, but that’s for good reasoning. The song starts off with an acoustic sound that is euphonious, but gets overtaken by a strong energy from the rest of the band. Just as the song started off “soft” Aaralyn’s vocals are melodious, then changes to a stomach-cutting screech that sets off the mood right. Throughout the song they switch between a subdued energy to one that is vigorous and impactful. I personally have never heard this sound from any other bands, but I greatly enjoy the transition between the different energy levels. Now from their Scrudge Comp. 1/Scrudge Dumpster EP I say my favorite song has to be Electric Funeral. I believe this song is sung by another band member. Sadly, I am unsure as to who it is as I haven’t had the chance to speak to any of them before writing this. I love the slightly muffled sound they provide in the vocals this time compared to Aaralyn’s gut-wrenching screams. This song contains points where it has an instrumental solo and you get to really hear the strength in how the drummer carries themselves with addition to the bassist and guitarists. They bring back again and again a heavy guitar riff that is easily recognizable throughout the rest of their songs. Even when listening to this song over and over to write about I was greatly amused the whole time. Not once getting tired of their sound.

When listening to their music I always have a hard time just not moving my head. Their songs have a great production and sense of quality to them. Which reads the listener as them really caring about the music rather than the fame or money they can get. Truly, I can't wait for what they release or come up with next. Nevertheless in the meantime their talents are extraordinary and solemnly something that I don't hear all the time.

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Pillars - Sunny Day Real Estate Review

This entry will be a more feels based one. Mainly how I feel about the ambiance and lyrics of Pillars by Sunny Day Real Estate.

At first you hear a low, mellifluous sound by the start of the guitar, drum, and bass synchronizing. For me it establishes the sound and feeling that I’ll have throughout the rest of the song. It brings a feeling of yearning for something as the song constantly goes between slow instrumentals to invigorating, heart-striking lyrics. A lot of the time you can hear him “shouting” his lyrics to get the point across almost like he needs the person to hear. 

Besides my biased opinion on how great of a song this is I would need to back it up with other credible sources besides my own personal opinion. I went on a small deep dive into the meaning from a site called, “Songtell” and they have to say that this is a retelling of a breakup due to, “the weight of misunderstandings and miscommunications.” It’s told from the view of the person who is trying to salvage the relationship while the other person has already moved on. 

Now it’s time for a small look into the lyrics. It starts off with, “But you were always one to stay the same, girl I know you want to be the rain.” It could be a theme of having removed someone from your life due to them “not changing” based on their stubbornness or an ego. Rain is used in literature a lot to show washing away bad energy. It renews you in a sense, but in the narrator’s case the ex-lover thought they were as great as the weather pattern; instead, they could’ve brought only misery. Let’s read, “And I know that you can feel the pain your eyes speak one hundred million lies.” What I can determine is that the narrator knows how much this break up has hurt them, yet their ex will keep a poker face to not show emotion. Not showing emotion could be used as a power trope to seem stronger or better than the other person. As they’re recollecting old moments that no longer matter anymore. The ex is trying to take a shortcut on getting over someone even though it takes time to heal. The chorus is written as, “Don’t tell me you’ve gone astray I walk in circles I’ve seen million things that tell me so.” This person is hoping to not acknowledge how the other party is over with the relationship. The bridge has burned and there’s no salvaging it in any way. He doesn’t want to hear that this person has left him as he constantly remembers the moments they had together. He’s reminiscing on something that someone else has gotten over already. They couldn’t care to be with him and this breaks the narrator. Yet, there are occurrences that show how this ex lover could have an inkling of wanting for the narrator. Since the narrator sees signs most likely from the universe that could be tricking or making them imagine a false hope. 

I personally have gone through “breakups” with people. Not anything romantic, but friendships. Surprisingly, I see this from the ex-lover’s point of view. I went through turmoil when I had to cut a specific person off for my own betterment. It hurt in the beginning. I mean many times did I think to just look over my own stupidity and take them back. But for my mental health and to feel better respected I chose to keep myself where I was standing and to continue looking forward. I went through my own battle in many different forms. I even had written an apology message for the fact that I ghosted them. Our miscommunications caused things to end so badly. I just couldn’t take looking, thinking, or being around them. This song brings back many moments in my life when I have wanted to reach out to old relationships to try and rekindle what we had with all the good memories, but in the end all the bad ends up staying.

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Greenhead An Overview

Today I’ll be diving into an up and coming band in the DMV scene here. For information I’ll be using their description on spotify and interpreting their lyrics. This is all public information and free to interpret in any way you want to.

First, I’m going to give a general overview of the band from the two times I have seen them live. There’s guitarist and vocalist, Nick Groves, with bassist, Dixon, and lastly drummer, Ian Andrew. Originally the band was formed in December 2021 with guitarist and vox Nick Groves and drummer Ian Andrew later adding bassist Alex Dixon in March 2022. From the first time I saw them I had originally gone to see another band named Colo at The Pocket. The lineup was Sacricide, Greenhead, and Colo. I went with no prior knowledge of any of the bands besides Colo. Nonetheless, I came out of there with a new idea for how music could be. I had listened to stoner/doom metal before with popular bands such as, Bongzilla and Toke, but this opened my eyes with Greenhead’s low, consciousness-expanding, and mind-bending beats. In words that I overheard from my first show I call them, “psychedelic metal”. As of right now they only have two singles out: Indigo released in 2022 and Nature’s Pyramid released in 2023.

Indigo starts off with an opener that, like their cover art, makes you feel like you’re transcending through space and are getting geared up. I mean you can’t help but to head bang. In an odd sense I feel their lyrics in Indigo are almost military like with a chanting formation. Their lyrics speak to the volume of pain and hurt. Or where at night your mind is wandering just trying to touch “the light” and sense of hope almost. I’d like to highlight points like, “This purple haze impairs our gaze trapped inside our dreadful mind; enlighten us to see the way away from misery.” Groves in this moment sings in a strong, commanding voice to emphasize his words. I see this as some sort of mental fog clogs your mind where you’re stuck in a dismal state where some outside force needs to light the way from one’s suffering.

Nature’s Pyramid has a distinctive intro where it’s very structured and a very keen composition. Groves sings, “hypnotize by your brain, under his control.” Again they strive to speak about a higher power who uses their influence to control what you may say or do. In my mind I see it as fighting against an oppressive being. Even with a second vocal track in the background of a deeper, more powerful entity taking over as you struggle with fighting them off. There’s a lot of contrast between the lower guttural voice and the chant-like vocals. To follow along he sings, “sacrifice to save yourself from your wicked ways.” The cover art for this song has a similar look to Mayan temples where it was commonly known to sacrifice members of the tribe to save themselves from a god’s wrath.

Let’s talk about where they get their inspiration from. They list names like Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Led Zeppelin, and others; however, from the people I have shown their sound to they all collectively say TOOL. I would like to add in similarities to Toke. They add in bands from stoner/doom metal such as Sleep, Mastodon, Electric Wizard, and many more. Including other hardcore bands from the local cities and states. Their message states, “Each of us in the group finds a sense of catharsis creating energetic music, and to create this feedback of energy with the crowds we play to.” I am genuinely fond of their music and I know that makes this video heavily opinionated, but I hope that when you listen to them you find where I’m coming from.