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Darwins Waiting Room - Orphan
 DWR- With the success of rap/rock bands lately such as Linkin Park, here comes another band following closely in their footsteps. I heard the single Feels So Stupid and couldnt get that tune out of my head. If there could be a song that sounds so closely to the LP sound Ill be damn to find it. I love this tune as well as All I have Is Me especially and other songs In To The Dark and Spent. I have to say this is one of those love some, hate some songs type of album. Track 9 Innosense Has got the Sublime rhythm guitar type feel that just didnt seem to fit on this album, While other tracks such as Transparent and Live For The Moment give me massive Run DMC flashbacks that make me wanna puke! Not to say RUN DMC didnt have massive contributions to todays music and were a great thing in their time but their music is a time past thing. Id have to make cross music comparisons to POD and Linkin Park for the music I enjoyed. If you like those bands then give these guys a try or at least try to find the single for Feels So Stupid.
Darwin's Waiting Room has also been added to the tour for dates starting Aug. 13 and ending Aug. 25. The group's been hanging out with racecar driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. at clubs around their shared home state, and they've just been added, last minute, to the Deftones and Godsmack tour, effective Wednesday (Aug. 1). Artist Shaggy also appears vocally on this album.
Factory 81 - Mankind
 Fac81- Once again another awesome band that I stumbled upon looking for new music on CDNow. I often use the cool little feature on their site that allows you to see what other people who have bought a certain album you may be looking at, have purchased also. This band has a sound musically of something hard in relationship to Pantera but with the vocals stylings of a band like Rage Against The Machine on steroids. This album has been out a little over a year but it is to be re-released in November with added songs and features. I love the hard driving tuneage and with tracks like Nanu and Ephedrine of which I down right totally love, this album rocks to the max. Its hard to believe these guys havent been hitting the charts by now. I expect this to be one of those truly popular underground albums that reaches the masses and sells albums but isnt heard on the radio or seen on Tv. If you enjoy allot of hard hitting vocals with rock solid music then go give these guys a listen. Definitely worth picking up and Blowing out a few tweeters with.
Upon their formation in 1997, the members of Factory 81 wanted to create a sound of stomp paced metal to hometown of Detroit, Michigan. Individually consisting of Andy Cyrulnik (drums), Kevin Lewis (bass), Bill Schultz (guitar) and Nathan Wallace (vocals), the quartet furthered their heaviness with an undertone of "new school" hardcore that was inspired by the likes of Earth Crisis, Hatebreed and Strife. This hybrid eventually resulted in the 1999 release of Factory 81's first album Mankind through Medea Records. The following year, the album was re-released with a bonus live track and technologically enhanced with previously unavailable performance cuts.
Simon Says - Shut Your Breath
 SimSays- I heard these guys back on their last album with a great tune called Ship Jumper. Well theyre back and theyve got another rock solid album with some more heavy hitters . New hit Blister is slowly but surely creeping the charts.I personally like the track Silk Moth with its hard driving rhythms and track Syphon with its hard driving vocals with a slowed down grunge sound. I liked some of the music on this album but not all, and the songs I liked were a fleeted passing in the night. The just didnt have the staying power or return playability for me. They were good but just not that great to make this album as a whole say buy me. I have to say listen to this one somewhere or try to find the mp3s for a couple songs and make sure its your cup of tea before you spend your hard earned cash.
Singer Matt Franks claims that Simon Says was never a "planned" band. A couple of sophomores from southern California high schools went to a party, and were impressed by a few similarly-aged fellows with cool instrumentals. When the party band disbanded, Franks and and the guys got together, and eventually became "this magic trio." Franks, guitarist Zac Diebels, and drummer Mike Johnston worked their magic for three consistent years playing the "captive" and highly responsive high school circuit, as well as Sacramento all-ages clubs, as Simon Says. After being joined by bass player Mike Arrieta in 1995, the early Simon Says -- named for the the schoolyard game -- felt buoyed enough by their appeal to the teenage set to release two DIY records, "Little Boy" and "Perfect Example," two years later. While the boys were looking for an attorney, they were contacted by Jeff Saltzman, who wanted to develop a production company and management firm. He was looking for promising young bands like Simon Says, who had already demonstrated the ability to be self-winding, and had, of course, plenty of creative musical talent. Saltzman hooked the band up with producer Mark Needham of Cake, who stepped in to oversee new demo recordings. Saltzman then showcased Simon Says in Los Angeles for fifteen labels. In July of 1998 Hollywood Records -- one of the very first labels to hear them, signed them almost on the spot. Under the guiding hand of Hollywood A&R rep Rob Cavallo, "Jump Start" got mixed in the studio with Needham, and hit the radio waves in May of 1999. The rest is a very young American success story.
Slipknot - Iowa
 Slpknt- Now to sum up this day of reviewing for me I end up with the album I have been waiting to hear and not at all expected to disappoint me as much as it did. Maybe Im just too old or my head has been beaten enuff in the 80s by Deth Metal bands like King Diamond , Slayer, and Sepultura. These guys definitely have roots drawn from these bands but Im just not into their thing. Songs like People = Shit, what a tune huh?
I could have been on the shitter and thought up the words to this song. I just cant stand a band that makes its lyrics into a one sentence song. I feel this lacks any sense of musicianship and it totally turns me off. I guess every band has to have a gimmick to go somewhere but these guys just totally push the envelope and even when Ive seen their interviews theyve just totally unimpressed me and seem to exude confidence while being morons. Ive seen other reviews of this album and they all brag as to how this was a major comeback from a big band but I havent heard any of the Buzz that was in the air from their debut hit Wait And Bleed. I feel this is because the excitement of the masks and the ignorance this band displays is wearing thin and no longer draws the crowds. Id have to say skip this and use the money for another one of this months albums.
One Side Zero - Is This Room Getting Smaller
 Coming together in the streets of Los Angeles, the quintet known as Onesidezero, went through a period of adversity and self-discovery before establishing them selves as one of the West Coast’s most electrifying and passionate young bands. Working with producer Jim Wirt (Incubus, Fiona Apple) and mixer David Bottrill (Tool, Peter Gabriel) has allowed Onesidezero to fully showcase and capture their abilities on the band’s debut album, Is This Room Getting Smaller through Maverick Records.
Focusing on melody, and groove-driven harmonics, Onesidezero beautifully crafts a stellar soundscape that effortlessly blends rock & alternative with traces of emo and a metal edge. Most favorably comparable to the band Cold or A Perfect Circle, Onesidezero’s songwriting is crisp & intelligent, driven by groove-oriented melodies, richly layered textures, soothing rhythms, and powerful, yet intricate drum work. Unlike Cold whose style possessed a grunge-like, alternative strain, Onesidezero’s sound is clean & effervescent, marked by captivating harmonics, dynamic effects, and inviting melodies. Talented musicianship and a seamless musical flow are demonstrated through the unique tightness of the band, while the music itself shivers with undeniable passion and beauty. Overall, Onesidezero does a masterful job of forging a sound that is addictive, yet edgy in its timelessness, without falling into the trap of clichéd commercialization by writing songs specifically for radio airplay or savvy marketability.
Considering the fact that Onesidezero does not fall into any of today’s identifiable genres, thereis the sad possibility that the band will fall into the tragedy of becoming another underrated &forgotten band because of their lack of commercialization. Passion and undeniable emotion are the driving elements behind Onesidezero, and given that the quintet is supplied with the right marketing & exposure, Onesidezero possesses the talent and the potential to not only become successful in the music industry, but they also have the ability to become a future icon…
This album is one of those that grows on ya. There's definately some real talent in this collection of musicians. I think this album needs to be pushed into the market alot more than what it is.
Lifer - Self
 Originally conceived in 1999 as a 4-piece act, the band formerly known as Strangers With Candy went on to become a 5-piece, establishing a reputation with their appearance & triumph on MTV’s Ultimate Cover Band contest. With the industry’s attention centered on the progress of the band now called Lifer, the Pennsylvania-based quintet went on to quickly prove that they were more than just a cover band, displaying a talent & potential that can easily be found on their Republic/Universal Records debut.
Coming from diverse backgrounds has led Lifer’s sound to explore a number of genres that range from the clichéd usage of nu-metal, rap, and turntables to including elements from more traditional rock, alternative, and punk. The end result is a style that appears chaotic, and almost contrived, yet is saved by the band’s talented musicianship, and fiery passion, which allows Lifer to excel at each styling. Through aggressive riffs and dense melodies, the band pays homage to such alt-metal acts as Sevendust or Liquid Gang while Lifer’s rhythmic section is reminiscent of Factory 81. Add the emceeing of a Linkin Park or Limp Bizkit, and the occasional rock harmony of a Live or Diffuser, and you have a rich amalgamation of sounds that will appeal to listeners along the entire range of the musical spectrum. In the end, it is Lifer’s diversity that makes them so addictive, yet it is also the band’s downfall as their songwriting and musical style is anything but original, forcing them to explore a number of genres in their quest to craft their own signature sound.
Frontman Nick Coyle possesses a wide harmonic range and infectious vocals that pull everything together for the band. , Lifer has surprisingly crafted a very strong & appealing debut that is sure to gain a large fanbase. Seriously check these guys out if you like the nu-metal style of music. Being a Pennsylvania based band I support these guys to the fullest extent. "Go get 'um boys"!!!!
Pressure 4-5 - Burning The Process
 Hailing from Santa Barbara, CA Pressure 4-5 emerged in January 1998 as a 4-piece act (plus a DJ in Joe Schmidt), releasing a well-received debut EP in 1999 called Antechnology. The following year, Joe Schmidt permanently switched to a second guitarist as the group worked with producer Ed Stasium (The Ramones, Biohazard, Talking Heads) and cut a three-song industry demo that attracted numerous record label offers. Choosing Dreamworks Records, the newly revamped five-piece (P4-5 added drummer Tom Schmidt to the lineup) worked with producer Jay Baumgardner (Slipknot, Orgy, Drowning Pool, Papa Roach) on their major-label debut, Burning the Process, which is set to drop on October 2nd.
Featuring a sound & style that once drew comparisons to Bush, Cold & Quicksand, Adam Rich fully emerges on Burning the Process, showcasing significant growth as a vocalist, while developing into a distinct & prominent frontman. Even though familiar influences still exist, compared to prior recordings, Adam has vastly broadened his horizons, led by passionate vocals that range between melancholic harmonies and assertive screams. Embracing this diversity, Adam confidently expresses compelling, heartfelt lyrics with undeniable charm & sincerity, while subtle variances are utilized to enhance the overall ambiance. In the end, the vast improvement found in Adam’s range & delivery is a result of his drive to succeed, which perfectly complements the intensity of Pressure 4-5’s sonic experience.
These Hands, Beat the World, and Even Worse, which can be found on the Ed Stasium-produced 3-song demo released in 2000. Though well written and powerfully executed, there is a notable distinction between the older material and the group’s latest offerings, as These Hands and Beat the World possess a more groove-oriented, sludgecore sound akin to Helmet, while the aggressive Even Worse emerges as the album’s heaviest number. Pushing the envelope as songwriters, Pressure 4-5 shines the brightest on their newest material, combining unconventional song structures, innovative sonic nuances, stirring harmonies, and memorable choruses into a vibrant & compelling soundscape.
Breaking down the walls between genres, Pressure 4-5 proudly showcase their evolution as a band, introducing to the world of music, a fresh new, invigorating experience. Fueled by a desire to leave their own permanent signature, Pressure 4-5 has developed a successful formula for cerebral music that exists on the edge of ground-breaking…
These guys rock and if you like new style experiences, you gotta get this album.
Creed - Weathered
 Creed originated in Tallahassee, Fla., in 1995 when old high school mates Scott Stapp and Mark Tremonti decided to fulfill their longtime dream of forming a rock band. Calling on bassist Brian Marshall and drummer Scott Phillips, the progressive sound of Creed was born.
Infused with the classic rock traditions of Led Zeppelin and the grinding resonance of Rush, Creed builds a modern sound on a traditional rock 'n' roll foundation.
Hmmmm....Creeds new album. What to say.... Let's start here. Classic Creed. Just not as heavy hitting as the first two albums thoug in my opinion. I mean it's still Creed, don't get me wrong. Just not what I was expecting from the new album. There are alot of slow melodies that are very heart felt and straight to the heart meaningful just like their other rock ballads. Look for these to be all over the radio as before. "My Sacrifice" has already hit top sales charts sending Creed soring in the bussiness again. Alot of people said these guys were gonna be a "one hit wonder" but they proved otherwise. They aren't going down without a fight. I think you're gonna see these boys around for quite awhile.
They established their own sound on the first album, and remained faithful to that sound throughtout their career. Now a days that's hard to find. And that usually means the end for a new band. The only thing I don't like about the album is that they seemed to drift more to the "rock ballad" style this time intead of the faster rock style they've had on the first two albums. Although the rock ballads really seem to work for them. With very deep heartfelt lyrics and a style of togetherness that only creed can deliver.
Don't mistaken this for "metal" though. THey are definately the "hard rock" genre. Something needs to be said about that as well. History seems to repeat itself, and the modern styles are become the "old school" styles of rock and metal again. Just with a twist.
Scott Stapp - vocals
Brian Marshall - bass
Mark Tremonti - guitar
Scott Phillips - drums
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