Single Review: “Battle Cry” by the Joykill Collective

"Alas, poor Yorick!"

Everyone wants to be anthemic these days, including UK alt rockers Joykill Collective. They’re against something in their new single “Battle Cry,” but I didn’t know quite what because I couldn’t understand the lyrics outside of the chorus.  Thus, I went to the music video for elucidation: At first, I wondered why a hot chick… Continue reading Single Review: “Battle Cry” by the Joykill Collective

TICKET GIVEAWAY: Sacred Oath // Awaken // Shadow Kingdom // Darkest Shade 8/28 at Cherry Street

Need your power metal fix?  Ear One Productions has you covered with Power Metal Fest 2015, ft. Darkest Shade, Shadow Kingdom, Awaken, and Connecticut “OGs” Sacred Oath.  Have a listen: Fallen by Sacred Oath And guess what?  You and a guest can go for free, courtesy of Ear One.  Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below — and… Continue reading TICKET GIVEAWAY: Sacred Oath // Awaken // Shadow Kingdom // Darkest Shade 8/28 at Cherry Street

Album Review: Ben Lorentzen’s America

Sparse and delicate, the new album by New Jersey songwriter Ben Lorentzen seeks to create “the defining record of a generation.”  While America might not be anthemic enough to achieve that goal, it does offer many facets to dig into.  Lorentzen is creative in his instrumentation; strings harmonica, piano, and I think even a banjo… Continue reading Album Review: Ben Lorentzen’s America

Two Days At Vibes

Gathering of the Vibes’ 20th Anniversary Spectacular wrapped up this weekend, and I was grateful (pun intended) to attend on Friday and Saturday.  Originally founded to celebrate the life of Grateful Dead frontman Jerry Garcia, the festival has graced Seaside Park in Bridgeport eleven times over the years.  And while it certainly features plenty of… Continue reading Two Days At Vibes

Album Review: Vile Display of Humanity (Self-Titled)

Seattle-by-way-of-Chicago punks Vile Display of Humanity released their self-titled debut album this May, unleashing a twenty-song tribute to the ideals of brotherhood and social justice.  The whole thing was recorded on lead guitarist Dave Foster’s laptop, and honestly the production quality is better than you’d imagine for “punk band’s DIY recording” — a little vocal-heavy… Continue reading Album Review: Vile Display of Humanity (Self-Titled)

Album Review: S.N.A.F.U.’s Present Day Plague

In authentic punk fashion, Detroit-based S.N.A.F.U. (Situation Normal All Fucked Up) offers nineteen songs in forty minutes on their upcoming album Present Day Plague.  And in testament to the blurred sub-genres that thrash/hardcore/hardcore-punk have become, their songs are punctuated with ripping guitar leads, upbeat riffing, and anthemic choruses that rail against The Man. Have a… Continue reading Album Review: S.N.A.F.U.’s Present Day Plague

Harry Potter For Grown-Ups: A Review of The Kingkiller Chronicle by Patrick Rothfuss

Tired of waiting for the next Game of Thrones book to come out?  Then take the rape and torture down a couple notches with The Kingkiller Chronicle series by Patrick Rothfuss.  This yet-to-be-finished fantasy trilogy now consists of The Name of the Wind (2007) and The Wise Man’s Fear (2011), with the final installment still… Continue reading Harry Potter For Grown-Ups: A Review of The Kingkiller Chronicle by Patrick Rothfuss