SINGLE REVIEW: Children of the Void - We Light the Way

CHILDREN OF THE VOID (Norway)
"We Light the Way"
(Independent)
Release date: April 9th 2021
Genre: Melodic metal, modern heavy metal, metalcore

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CHILDREN OF THE VOID is a collective of young musicians based out of Bergen, on the west coast of Norway. The group consists of members from Baby Heartless, Fretmiden, Scourge and Firefight, and their music is said to be inspired from diverse melodic death, symphonic, black, industrial and deathcore acts.

The band has recorded the five track EP "Garden of Bones" that will be out later this year, and their full length debut is scheduled for release in 2022.

"We Light the Way" is the collective's first ever release, apart from the demo version that is already out on Spotify. With lyrical content that advices the listeners to stay true to their own sense of judgement, and clocking in at just under three minutes the song offers a rather brief first insight to what CHILDREN OF THE VOID are up to.

In Flames immediately appears as a possible source of inspiration, both riff and vocal wise. The guitars never lose their harmonic touch, and along with the vocal lines, as well as the voice itself (especially during the chorus), they clearly prove that the band never searched too far outside the Norwegian border for inspiration. Come to think of it, I'm hearing some Entombed in here too.

2:50 is fairly short, and certain parts of the song feel like they could benefit from a bit more exploration on the arrangement side of things. I take it that CHILDREN OF THE VOID is still a young band in terms of both existence and personell age, and therefore might still need a bit of time to mature as a collective and perfect their way of work, but their first offering certainly shows great potential.

"We Light the Way" is out on Bandcamp on April 9th, and on all relevant streaming services on April 16th.

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Tracklist:
1. We Light the Way

LINE UP:
Runar - vocals
Even - guitars
Robin -  guitars and backing vocals
Jørgen - bass
Eivind - drums

SINGLE REVIEW: JP2 - Hope

JP2 (USA)
"Hope"
(Indian River Music Company)
Release date: February 21st 2020
Genre: Modern heavy metal, progressive metal, melodic hard rock

Links:
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JP2, or Javier Perez as is his real name, has been mentioned on this blog page earlier, after the release of his debut single "Walk Alone" in June last year. The track received a lot of promising feedback, including a whopping 8/10 star rating by yours truly. The track stood out as one of the absolute most memorable moments from 2019, and naturally this writer did indeed sense a slight anticipation whilst clicking on the "play" button.

From the very top of the track, "Hope" appears to be an indication that Perez himself has moved in a heavier direction from where he stood on his first single. The riffs are thicker and form a rock solid foundation underneath glimmering electronics and lead guitars that appear to be one of the things that have become typical to JP2's expression.

The chorus has a somewhat similar feel as that on "Walk Alone", although without any further comparison. Perez has evolved his ability to write functional and efficient melodies and riffs, and his voice sounds stronger and more confident on his latest single.

In many ways a very different endeavour from JP2 this time. But still, the ever so slight change of scenery only confirms the musical versatility that Javier Perez possesses, because on his most recent single he seems to feel right at home.

★★★★★★★★★☆

Tracklist:
1. Hope*

*Added to the "Subterranean Noise - 2020" playlist on Spotify

LINE UP:
Javier Perez - all instrumentation, vocals

SINGLE REVIEW: First Revival - Twisted Mind

FIRST REVIVAL (Sweden)
"Twisted Mind"
(Independent)
Release date: June 2nd 2018
Genre: Heavy rock, heavy metal
Links:
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Website

From Luleå in the north of Sweden comes a four-piece band that has endured several line-up transformations during its short existence. Initially a quintet, the band that was later to become FIRST REVIVAL was formed in the spring of 2016 with another name and a different line-up, and released an EP that had a more modern sound than what they have today.

FIRST REVIVAL's first release with the current line-up was the single we're having a closer look at today, "Twisted Mind". It shows a band that is clearly inspired by 70's heavy rock, but chooses to honor it in a more modern sounding manner.



A quick description of the track could be that it is like listening to Motörhead playing an Anvil track with Tom G. Warrior (Hellhammer/Celtic Frost/Triptykon) on vocals. Never really a demanding track to lend the ears to, but the riffs are sharp and to the point, and the song as a whole is well arranged and has a catchy drive.

The band is currently recording their first full-length album, set for release some time in the spring of 2020, and if FIRST REVIVAL maintains the sound and quality that their debut single has, then I dare to predict they're heading for success.

★★★★★★★★★☆

Tracklist (*added to the "Subterranean Noise" playlist on Spotify):
1. Twisted Mind*

LINE UP:
Hasse - vocals and bass
Simone - guitar
Kristoffer- guitar
Johan - drums

ALBUM REVIEW: Ditchwater - Never Say Never

DITCHWATER (USA)
"Never Say Never"
(Independent)
Release date: October 25th 2019
Genre: Modern heavy rock, modern heavy metal, melodic heavy metal
Links:
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Website
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From Chicago, Illinois comes a five piece band that has been active since it formed back in 1993. DITCHWATER has released six albums between 1996 and 2018, all of them having received a re-mastering treatment and re-released at various points in time during 2018 and 2019.

Lead guitarist Mark Anderson is the only member of the band who has appeared on all releases, and despite numerous line up changes he has made sure that DITCHWATER has kept consistent in their making of heavy, powerful, catchy and above all honest music.

In late October this year the band released their seventh studio effort. "Never Say Never" (a title suggested by vocalist Mike Meadows that seemed fitting as a motto for a band that has had its share of ups and downs) is a natural continuation on DITCHWATER's list of merits, both in terms of songwriting and production.

In essence a band with a somewhat aggressive approach, but always with its heart on the outside. The aggressive aspect is greatly enhanced by the thick and massive production, but the thing that DITCHWATER does to differ from a lot of other similar bands is that their aggression is positive and honest.



"Enemy of the People" is the opening track that immediately grabs the listener by the collar. Bouldering riffs, catchy hooks and a chorus that proves there is a fine, melodic side to the band as well. "My Last Breath" and "Against" My Better Emotional Reasons" are more downtempo than the opener, but provides the same energy.

That being said, DITCHWATER keeps the energy consistent throughout the whole album, with the exception of the heartfelt and open "All About You", which is the first track to feature clean guitars. "Hands Held Out" presents even an acoustic side of the band that I feel works very well, and concludes DITCHWATER's presentation of new, original material in a tasteful, yet rather unexpected manner.

"Never Say Never" ends the same way that it started 35 minutes earlier, with a furious blast. DITCHWATER's version of Motörhead's "Iron Fist" doesn't stray far from the original, but the best way a band can honor classics like this is to give it their own touch without losing the respect that the original deserves.

As mentioned earlier, "Never Say Never" is the latest release from a band that has kept going through 26 years of existence, and it showcases a great deal of emotions built up from the highs and lows throughtout their career. Power and aggression remain as relevant keywords to describe DITCHWATER's music in 2019, but good melodies, skillful songwriting and the band's positive energy makes "Never Say Never" a genuine and enjoyable experience.

★★★★★★★★★☆

Tracklist:
1. Enemy of the People
2. My Last Breath
3. Against My Better Emotional Reasons
4. The End
5. This Pain
6. The Way You Are
7. All About You
8. How Many Times
9. Hands Held Out
10. Iron Fist

LINE UP:
Mike Meadows - vocals
Mark Anderson - lead guitar
Kevin James - rhythm guitar
Mason Brown - bass
Mike Tignino - drums