thePULSECharm City Devils’ Sins
By Jason Savio
“Read my lips/I’ll never quit,” sings John Allen on “Unstoppable,” the single off his band Charm City Devils’ sophomore album Sins. Filled with defiance and determination, Sins is a hard-hitting, riff-heavy modern rock assault that captures the struggle to overcome one’s past mistakes and guilt in order to move forward.
Throughout Sins, Allen deals with his demons out in the open for a public exorcism. He sings of a regretful but irresistible relationship in the dirty blues stomp “Devil Is A Woman” as it sludges through gritty hard rock grime, and stands by his faults in the fiery and aggressive “Spite.”
The cover of the traditional folk tune “Man of Constant Sorrow” takes the acoustic standard and revamps it in a 21st century makeover, highlighting its bitter lyrical tone with dark and droning power chords for the cynical Everyman. Allen seems to find some redemption and solace in “All You’ll Ever Need,” a tune that sounds like the sweet orphan in a collection of uppity and raucous problem children ~ when he sings along to its heartfelt melody, “I’m not so young anymore/Did not know what I’m looking for/I know that it’s you.”
In an album full of anger and soul searching, Sins is a hard rock album that is more complex than it may seem on the surface. With plenty of spitfire guitar solos, pounding drums and just the right amount of genuine perception, Sins paints a portrait of a band capable of covering all emotions.
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Kill Devil Hill’s Self-Titled Album
By Benjamin McNeil
Interior shot of a local bar at a late night Kill Devil Hill show.
Drummer Vinny Appice drops his sticks, surveying the massacre on the bar’s floor ~ the remnants of a capacity crowd’s blown minds litter the linoleum.
I ask Appice (taking aim at those f**kers on “CSI”) if he’s shocked by the carnage.
“Shocked? No, just surprised they survived through ‘Gates of Hell.’” [track four on K.D.H.’s self-titled album, released earlier this year]
Soon, Kill Devil Hill won’t need an introduction; the band played their first gig in April 2011 and haven’t looked back since. Star-powered talent, well-written vocals, and near-perfect guitar hooks define Kill Devil Hill, currently rocking crowds from Cleveland to Chicago to Los Angeles, among other meccas of rock, with its newest offerings from Kill Devil Hill, their 12-track debut album.
I can’t promote just one defining, outstanding element of Kill Devil Hill; they’re too damn good all ‘round…as expected. Vinny Appice, renowned drummer for Dio, Black Sabbath, Ozzy, and Rick Derringer, continues to kill on drums, beginning with “War Machine” (track 1), and never quitting. Mark Zavon and Rex Brown (Pantera, anyone?) shine in “Voodoo Doll,” “Hangman,” and “Revenge,” and sound even better live.
But vocalist Dewey Bragg is ironman; his voice is dynamic and crisp, and his ballads ~ from “War Machine” to “Revenge” ~ authoritative and mind-blowing from start to finish. And the lyrics are not lost in the instrumental fervor of Appice, Brown, Zavon and Bragg. A clear message prevails: death is inevitable, so embrace it by living.
One listen to Kill Devil Hill and you’ll notice how the members feed off each other, and how well-rehearsed and cohesive their tracks are. These guys rock.
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Old English’s Self Titled Album
By Jennifer Russo
Catchy. That is the first word that comes to mind when I listen to Old English.
First things first: this is a band that immediately reminded me of the style of Led Zeppelin’s “Black Dog.” It is a powerful tribute to the rock and roll of the past skillfully combined with some modern elements. Band members Pete Kendall (Guitar), Dale Bales (Bass) and Russ Sternglass (Drums) take the progressive approach to their writing with some really cool effects paired with traditional sounds and intricate guitar melodies that wind in and out of extremely tight rhythms. Their sound has a measure of restraint and doesn’t go overboard because, quite simply, it doesn’t need to.
Their 5 song self-titled EP offers some songs that are solely instrumental and others which feature vocals that I would describe as laid back and pure with a cool 1970s feel reminiscent of Crosby, Stills & Nash. Their harmonies are so nicely done in songs like “Particles” and “Summertime” that I craved more of them in all of their tracks, but I can certainly appreciate a band that wants to showcase the range of their musicianship.
OE has played over 20 clubs in MA as well as festivals in Vermont, Pennsylvania and New York, has been featured on Unregular Radio’s local music show and are recording a follow-up EP. Their ReverbNation site has an excellent, funny montage-style video that is a must see and ~even better ~ the CD is offered for sale on-line at a name your own price, not something you come across every day.
To find out more about Old English and listen to clips from their latest album, listen to them on-line at www.reverbnation.com/oldenglishband and be sure to like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OldEnglishBand.
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3 Pill Morning’s Black Tie Love Affair
By Katelyn Putelis
3 Pill Morning is one of the few bands that can get away with that clean cut look and still deliver hard rock music. They don’t get caught up in the “I need crazy outfits and gimmicks to sell music” way of thinking. Instead, they do what they like, how they like ~ and it works.
Black Tie Love Affair is a well-rounded rock album with hints of other genres mixed in to keep things interesting. The track “Skin” gives off the feeling of progressive rock, whereas other tracks like “I Want That for You” reinforces the idea that these guys aren’t trying to stick to one specific genre.
The album opens and closes strong, leaving the listener absolutely content ~ and wanting a little bit more. “Rain” kicks off the album with strong guitar riffs and an overall sound that leaves your ears and mind curious as to what might come next. The final track on the album, “Revolution,” is a rock anthem with gang vocals, sure to leave the listener full of energy.
Every song is a keeper. Your “next” button may develop abandonment issues while this album plays, and with each track lasting about three minutes, the band comes in, does what they have to do, and moves along without overstaying their welcome.
What it boils down to is that Black Tie Love Affair will sound very familiar on its first play through ~ which isn’t a bad thing in this case. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that 3 Pill Morning has some tricks up their sleeve that will separate them from the over-crowded rock genre.
