Waveriders! First of all, thank you all so much for popping in with us and checking out reviews on the "best music you're not listening to." Our goal is for our writers to find music that truly excites them, then unleash themselves upon their keyboards to write missives and spread the word.
We've been growing like crazy recently, as we've crossed over 3,000,000 hits and our staff keeps on expanding so here's a preview of what each week has in store for you. Of course, sometimes things change because of schedules, but basically, here's the rundown.
Sunday begins our week with Cicatriz laying down the hardcore punk and metal, grindcore, deathcore, and occasional variation followed by The Slapphappy Mortician digging into weird worlds of electronica and interesting pop.
Monday is Racer and the Pope writing about whatever catches their ears. Look for a resurrection of the regular columns we used to do so frequently, like the Proto-metal Report, Musical Martyrs, On the Ripple Desk, and Single Life. You never know what might catch Racer or Pope's ears for writing that week, but it will probably be full of ambient metal, stoner groove, retro-rock, post-punk, garage and punk.
Tuesday brings on the fuzz with Heddbuzz laying into the stoner groove, doom, and riff rock, followed by Ripple's very own graphic artist, Boogs, writing about what ever rocks his world. But it will rock.
Wednesday is filled with the missives of Penfold and his regalia of tales as he explores the worlds of avant-metal, hip hop, and pop darkness. Following which comes our own NW radio personality, Odin, who's all metal all the time.
Thursday we get entertained by the punky, rocky, metallic, off-the-cuff world of Woody as he delves into his love of all things Motorhead, Stooges, Grand Funk and more. And don't forget his occasional reading list suggestions, The Ripple Library, with books full of rich rock history. Then, on days when we're lucky, England's Grifter, Ollie, lays down some heavy riff-rock love.
Friday is heavy, with Horn and his love of metal, sludge, doom and jazz followed by Ripple's newest scribe, Gorgeous Nightmare who delves into metal of all sorts from gothic, to sleaze, to power.
Saturday brings the varied and entertaining worlds of Mr Brownstone and Old School who's ears perk up with wonderously different sounds. Expect lots of alternative pop, classic rock, blues, jazz and even a touch of bluegrass. But really, we never know what's going to come next.
On top of that, we'll still publish the odd bit of news, free compilation links, and interviews. And the Blogtalkradio link updates every month with the latest podcast from the Ripple Radio Show.
And don't forget to pop over to our companion facebook page, where we'll publish every week (if not every day) links to free downloadable singles, albums, and compilations.
So this is that djent music that all the kids are talking about, huh? I have to admit, I like it better than I thought I would. I like Meshuggah, the band that this sub-genre is named for, but any time you get a bunch of instrumental music going on there is always the possibility of band members more concerned about showing off how many notes they can play in a minute instead of writing songs that actually have a beginning, middle and end, and you know, sound like songs. Or you get the sparkling, technical proficiency from guys like Steve Vai or Joe Satriani, but absolutely no soul in the music so it sounds like it was written by robots. This is the 2nd release for Animals As Leaders and the first as an actual band that wrote all the songs together. And to be honest, there are some moments where you can tell that they are showing off their technical prowess here and there. But then again, if you got the chops you might as well show them off when you have the opportunity.
There are 12 songs on this album, and they really do sound like songs and not just an excuse for wankery. There are a lot of time signature changes and a lot of very cool melodies and counter melodies going on in all of these tracks. This is definitely a band that is into the technical side of playing. As a 3 piece you get guitar, bass and drums and there is a fair amount of programmed, synth stuff going on as well, which I would imagine means they have to be incredibly tight when they play live. And I think it is pushing the genre envelope to say that Animals As Leaders are really a metal band. They have some metal moments but this is definitely a very progressive band and I would say much more rock than metal.
I really enjoy several of the tracks on this album. “Somnarium” and “Earth Departure” have some very cool things going on in terms of the aforementioned melodies and counter melodies. In both of these tracks there is a main melody that flows through the song, gets turned around and upside down and comes back to the main theme, and it is very well done. “Do Not Go Gently” is a lot of fun to listen to; again because of the interweaving melodies and the time signatures bouncing all over the place, plus I give them bonus points for not spelling it “Djently”. “New Eden” is almost a pretty song with some nice dynamic contrasts. And “Cylindrical Sea” features some absolutely jaw dropping guitar work.
This is a very good album and one that I look forward to spending more time with. I may even check out some of the other bands in the djent genre. If they do it as well as Animals As Leaders they are worth checking out. –ODIN
Ahhh!! October, one of my favorite months in the year. Why you ask? Well first off, I live in Texas. When October hits, it means the weather if finally getting colder and I can finally wear hoodies again. I love hoodies. The second awesome thing about October is Halloween. Who the fuck doesn't like Halloween? Also, it's October so that means it's time to crack open another Cicatriz' Six Pack.
We start this month off with Ordstro and their Summer 2011 Tape. As expected this is one solid, almost 11 minute track. It runs much like a tape would, not skipping tracks. I'm guessing these San Fran natives released this Demo in tape format. This single track appears to be seven , one to two minute tracks of some awesome powerviolence. This shit is fucking brutal, my ears are happy and it makes me wish I had the tape format of these tracks and not just the lame digital. I get me a tape player! I'm sure a lot of you youngens are asking what the hell a tape is. Back in my day, we didn't have Cds, we had tapes. We didn't burn a disk full of track we loved, we made things like mix-tapes. Most of my mix-tapes consisted of recording underground and indie music off the college and independent radio. It looks like tapes are the new throwback music media.
Ordstro goes good with: The Locust, Retox, Cattle Decapitation, His Hero Is Gone, Weekend Nachos, Agoraphobic Nosebleed, Charles Bronson
Our second band this month is Bear Awareness and their album Pillage and Burn. First off, I must say this is an awesome name for a band. These guys are a good mixture of fast core, grind core and powerviolence out of Los Angeles. Two stand out tracks on this album are: "The Jewish, Pig Destroyer" and "Fear of Bacon". The quality on these tracks are not the best but do give you an idea of where this band is going musical direction wise. A solid release with a garagey diy ethic. You are now aware of Bear Awareness.
Bear Awareness goes good with: Retox, The Locust, Despise You, Lack of Interest, Stapled Shut.
Third up this month is Glasgow, Scotland Natives Wheelchair Wheelchair Wheelchair Wheelchair (yes, that is 4 Wheelchair) with their debut EP, Bald and Dead. This is a really good debut. I'm glad to see some good ole' fashioned powerviolence coming from the other side of the pond. My favorite track is "Your Cancer, My Cock". Unfortunately the band has taken down the free download for this album at the time of my write up. If you ask me real nice I might just email you a copy.
Wheelchair Wheelchair Wheelchair Wheelchair goes good with; Despise You, Retox, Assuck, His Hero Is Gone, Man Is The Bastard, Wiccans
Check out Wheelchair Wheelchair Wheelchair Wheelchair here: http://www.myspace.com/4wheelchairs
Next up is Pittsburgh 3 piece, Torn Off with their 67 track (7 proper tracks) disc Snake Breathe. When I first downloaded this album I was astonished by the number of tracks on it. 67 is a bit intimidating. Quickly, I learned that it was only seven tracks. Needles to say I was had but at least I was entertained. The boys in Torn Off offer up a great mix of a doom laden, crusty hardcore. Everything about this band is great. Musically they are tight. The vocals a screamed and fit really well with the music. I also really enjoyed all the soundbites before the songs. "Give Up" and "Ghost Blood" are my two favorite tracks. If you like really good hardcore with serious breakdowns check these doods out.
Torn Off goes good with: Weekend Nachos, The Acacia Strain, His Hero Is Gone, Tragedy, Trap Them
What do Jean Claude Van Damne, Rob Van Damn and this next band have in common? Well besides the sir name Vandamme, they both kick ass! Vandamme is powerviolence band out of Italy. Who knew the Italians could be so damn violent. They offer up their EP 6 Songs, 3 Minutes. Extreme brutality and pretty cool lyrics make this band awesome....you know besides the cool name. Best track on the album is the opener, "Veggie Food Is Not For Preppies"
"we don't give a fuck about rich preppies menus we don't care about a juicy gourmet our war is an everyday fight an everyday massacre"
Vandamme goes good with: Retox, The Locust, Some Girls, Converge
Oh no!!! We're down to our last of this months Six Pack. Better make it good. Waveriders, I give you End Times and their latest demo: Demo 2011. End Times is hardcore band with metal tendencies outta Dallas. As you may of inferred from past write ups, I am a Dallas/Fort Worth native. So, I am always a little partial to give the local boys some space on my write ups. The only way to build a good scene is for people to know their is one and to have awesome bands that want to play awesome jams in that scene. End Times definitely give the DFW area something to be proud of. My favorite track is the brutal "Pestilence". Awesome guitar work and a punky d-beat drum make this one special. Lyrically this song makes me want to jump in the pit, fight my way up to the stage so I can sing along and sing proud.
"The end begins, the fire will come to boil their greed, bound by shackles, forced to see, suffering.
Taking their homes, taking their lives, punish their souls for all of their lies. the dawn of the new world begins, as the old world ends.
Ashes filling the sky leaving our mark on their world Their blackened souls will rot, undying pestilence.
Burn it down, their blackened souls will rot.
Burn it down, their souls will rot... "
End Times goes good with: Unit 21, Black Flag, Ragging Boner, Trapped Under Ice, His Hero Is Gone, Weekend Nachos, Earth Crisis, Integrity
So we have polished off another Six Pack. Join me next month for more bandcamp.com bands you need to know about. If you are in a band or know one that you would like to see on Cicatriz Six Pack: shoot me an email @ cicatrizrip@gmail.com or find me on facebook.
Over here at the Ripple, we love giving away free (legal) music. Spread the word. Help the bands. The problem is that so much free music comes in, we don't have enough time to post it all.
Enter Ripple Facebook. Pop on over and "like" the Ripple Effect page, and stay tuned in to the best free songs, EP's, and Album downloads that bands, labels and PR companies send our way.
Here's a sampler of what you can find there right now:
10 free downloadable tracks that sample their catalogue. The Tsurumi Sampler will be available for free until the release of their 5th album Last Chance Summer Dance by latest label signee Fonzarelli.
The Soda Shop have their excellent free compilation with such bands as Stone Axe, Mos Generator, Venomin James, Gozu, and Lo-Pan. Seriously amazing . . .
The good folk at Exploding in Sound are releasing their 9th free compilation, featuring such artists as ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead, J Mascis, Steve Brodsky, Marnie Stern, Bad Books, Guards, Adebisi Shank, Bunny's A Swine, Mini Mansions, Hammer No More The Fingers, Tijuana Panthers, Crystal Antlers, Weekend, Tidal Arms, Hawk Eyes (aka Chickenhawk) and more!
And much, much more. Go to Ripple Facebook, become a friend and get the inside line on tons of free music.
Yeah, yeah, we know. Although we've had a Ripple Music Facebook page going for some time with some 1300 friends joining us, it took us a while to get around to launching a true Ripple Effect FB page.
But the wait is over.
Best of all, we're making a conscious effort not to make the FB page a carbon copy of The Ripple. Occasionally, we may cross-promote some really cool news, or tour dates, or reviews, but for the most part we're planning on making the Ripple FB page a real companion to The Ripple Effect.
And primarily, that means your source for some truly excellent free music! Yep, we're gonna use that forum as our place to upload all the links that come in to some great free albums, singles, compilations . . . whatever. As long as it's good music, it's free, and it's legal, we'll get it up on the Ripple FB.
So pop on over to Ripple FB. Friend us. Tell all your friends (please) and just wait to see what's the next free album we giveaway.
And, as always, drop off your thoughts, comments, suggestions. We really do listen to our waveriders and want to make this community as fun as possible.
