Up Next on the chopping block is another mixed bag review. These are bands that some of you may have heard of and others might be brand new to you, but either way these four bands are great so with that, let’s take a look……………
How To Destroy Angels:
How To Destroy Angels- so this is a debut EP and for those that don’t know this band is fronted by a singer named Mariqueen Maandig and for those that don’t know she is the wife of Trent Reznor. There’s something very atmospheric and almost dark about this. I had kind of a hard time gaining into this one. I just felt it kind of dragged in parts but overall it’s not bad. I just wouldn’t go back and listen to it again. It’s only six songs so that does help. I will say it’s very industrial and I’m going to give it 7/10.
Standouts: The Believers, Parasite
Welcome To Oblivion- I gotta say when I first heard this a long time ago I wasn’t really into it. It wasn’t really my thing and listening to it now it’s very interesting. Some of it does remind me of Nine Inch Nails, but at the end of the day this album is its own thing. There’s a lot going on here it’s got industrial, a little bit of rock, and overall, it’s just a very atmospheric and dark album. I will say some of the tracks make me just want to go back and listen to Nine Inch Nails, but overall this is a really cool record and I highly recommend it. I’m giving this one 9/10.
Standouts: Ice Age, Too Late All Gone, We Fade Away
Greg Puciato:
Child Soldier: Creator Of God- if you ever wanted to know what Greg would sound like if he fronted a Nine Inch Nails type of band, then this is the album for you. It reminds me so much of NIN and I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. That’s actually a very good thing because I’ve kinda always wondered if someone was to carry on that torch who would be the best to do so and well here’s your answer. I would actually say this is more of a Black Queen meets Nine Inch Nails and it’s really cool. It’s got that kind of industrial sound, and Greg actually uses his aggressive vocals for some of these songs. I have no choice but to give this album 9/10.
Standouts: Roach Hiss, Fire For Water, A Pair Of Questions
Mirrorcell- so if the last album was industrial, this one is more of a heavier, rock oriented record. It definitely has some Soundgarden and even some Alice In Chains vibes. After listening to this record, it’s easy to see why Jerry Cantrell picked Greg as part of his backing band. I don’t know what it is about this guy, but he’s just so damn talented and this album is just further proof of that. Now I will say this one does seem a tad more focused but both this album and the other album are just great albums and I have to give this another 9/10.
Standouts: Reality Spiral, Rainbows Underground, All Waves To Nothing
Reba Meyers:
Clouded World- so this is the debut EP of Reba Meyers and for those that may be unfamiliar with her she was the guitar player for a band called Code Orange and I’ll be honest out of everybody in that band, she was the standout. When it comes to solo projects, I’m always a little leery as to how it’s gonna turn out. I mean really let’s be honest when a band member goes on their own and does their own thing it could go either way and fortunately this is a fantastic debut!! I mean the opening track just right out the gate is so damn good and from there it just gets better. It’s a very poetic album. It’s a very moody album. It’s got a little bit of darkness to it and at the end of the day it kicks ass!! One thing I would like to point out is that coming from a band like Code Orange and doing something like this really just goes to show the range that Reba has. I honestly cannot recommend this album enough. I have no choice but to give this 9.5/10 (I’m taking half a point away because I wish it was a full length)
Standouts: Clouded World, Lust Forbidden
Mean Streak:
Roadkill- OK quick introduction about this band. This is an all female band and a cool fact is that three of the members in this band are married to John Petrucci, John Myung, and Mike Portnoy who are all in the band Dream Theater. Now that that’s out of the way let’s talk about this album. So I read up a little on this band and for this particular album, it gets lumped under the thrash metal subgenre and yes, it does have thrash metal elements, but it’s more than. You can hear influences from bands like Metallica, iron maiden, and even various power metal bands. In my opinion, this is just a really really fun album. The band is absolutely bad ass and for a debut album. I gotta say it’s pretty damn good. I’m giving this album 8/10
Standouts: Lost Stranger, Snake Pit, Roadkill
Blood Moon- OK so the last album came out in the 80s this is an EP and it was just released in February 2024 and I gotta say for a band that was gone for such a long time, this isn’t that big of a departure from their full length debut. What I like about this is that it has almost a Sabbath kind of tone. I’m also a huge fan of the Guitar riffs like they’re just chunky and awesome and bad ass. I’m very excited to hear what this band does next and hopefully we get a new full length album soon. I’m giving this 9/10.
Standouts: Giant Speaks
I would say that this one is one of the more eclectic mixed bags that I’ve done in a while and for a good reason because all of these bands are great in their own, right. There’s a little bit of newer and a little bit of older on this one and please check out each of these bands for some great music your ears will thank you.
Sinister Reviews 