Secret Empire "Storm Command" Review

Secret Empire "Storm Command" Review
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Many people may not know who Connor Ragan is. He’s an up and coming artist with a huge drive to make music. In fact, his older brother is in a pretty popular band you may have heard of called Hollywood Undead. Connor and his band Secret Empire have been working on their album Storm Command for several years now and have finally released it as of August 1st and even better, the album was free.

The album isn’t exactly a hard rock album, but it still manages to pack a punch. The music and lyrics are extremely heartfelt and meaningful. Each song has its own unique sound and none of them really feel like filler songs. The album sort of has a laid back mellow sound through most of it and a few songs sounding a little sad in my opinion. Not sure if that was the intention or not.

The producing and mixing of the album should be mentioned as well, because it’s actually pretty damn good. The album is clear and crisp sounding just as good (maybe even better) than many major releases from some bands around today. Which is no surprise when you find out that the man behind it was Shaun Lopez, who has worked with bands such as Deftones, Whitechapel, and Crosses (†††).

Last words:
Give this album a listen; you really have no excuse to not listen when it’s free. You might find yourself enjoying it just as much as I did.

Score: 5/5
Release: August 1st, 2012
Standout Songs: Plastic Wrist, Morning, The Loneliest Place, and Disappear.
Secret Empire links:
http://evilorphan.com/
http://www.facebook.com/evilorphan

Underride "Distorted Nation" Review

Underride "Distorted Nation" Review
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(before we get to review, I would like to personally thank Underride for allowing me o do this and taking the time to respond to my email. Great guys!)


Almost 2 weeks ago I went to a concert in Charlotte, now leading up to that show I had really only known about 2 of the bands and didn’t know much about the other 3. However when leaving the show, one of those 3 really left an impact and that was Underride. After that I knew I needed to hear more from them and thankfully managed to get my hands on their album “Distorted Nation”

Now first things first, this album is pure ROCK music. No screaming, no death growls, none of that stuff, which is what got me to like the album. Not many bands go out and just make a straight up rock album anymore. Hell these guys even got me to like a Lady Gaga song with their cover of “Paparazzi”. It’s catchy, heavy, and managed to stay on repeat for quite a while. The album has quite a few fist pumping songs as well that are lyrically impressive such as: “Another Way Out”, “Say Goodbye To Everything That's Gone”, “Porn Star”, and “Blinded By You”.

However almost all albums have a down side, and when I try to find one for Distorted Nation the only thing that comes to mind is that the album left me wanting MORE, I really enjoyed it that much with the sound of Rev’s voice and the way the rest of the band blends together. So basically this is a pretty damn good album, it makes me excited for what Underride will release next and has me expecting big things for the band and their future (as well as hopefully seeing them live again soon). So now to any rock fan, check this album out now! You will be pretty impressed and might even gain a new favorite band.

Score: 4.5/5

Release: April 10^th, 2011

Standout Songs: “Another Way Out”, “Paparazzi”, “Love Is Like Dying”, and “Blinded By You”.
Underride links:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/underride/71205831473
http://www.underride.net/

Deuce - "Nine Lives" Review

Deuce "Nine Lives" Review:
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“RELEASE THE KRAKEN!”

The first words you will hear on this album and in a way it sums up Nine Lives. Deuce has come out of the gate with a beast of an album. It’s his first major release since he and Hollywood Undead parted ways a few years back, but he seems to be picking up right where he left off.

The album manages to boast several guest appearances from fellow artists and friends of Deuce, such as: Jeffree Star, Truth, Travie McCoy, Skee-Lo , Gadget, Veze Skante, and Ronnie Radke. Luckily the blend of all these artists works and helps keep each song from sounding like the one before it.

Lyrically, the album is full of energy and emotion. Songs like “I Came To Party”, “The One”, “Nobody Likes Me”, and “Walk Alone” stand out and Deuce does a great job displaying his emotion in each one. I can actually say I didn’t really dislike any song on the album. The only thing that stuck out in my mind was that “Till I Drop” seems to remind me of the beat and flow of Eminem’s verse from the song “Forever”. But I’m not really saying that’s a bad thing, because it isn’t.

Regardless of if you’ve been a fan of Deuce since his early days or if you’re just getting into him, I believe you will like this album, maybe even surprised by it. It has party songs, hate filled songs, and some emotional songs. Basically something for however listeners are feeling, so check it out as soon as it's available!

Score: 4.5/5

Release Date: April 24^th, 2012

Standout Songs: “I Came To Party”, “The One”, “Nobody Likes Me”, and “Walk Alone”

Burn Halo - Up From The Ashes Review

ok, this is my first attempt at trying to review a CD, so please bare with me because it may not be good. Now then, the name of the album is Up From The Ashes by Burn Halo.

Now most people that know of this band and James Hart, know of his colorful history with Eighteen Visions. When they disbanded he formed Burn Halo. Long story short: Burn Halo sounds nothing like old 18V, they released a fairly popular cd, toured for a few years and have made a bit of a name for themselves and released a new CD June 28th.

Now, this album is a heavier BH than we heard in 2009. It still maintains that old rock sound at times, and has some great vocals. James has evolved so much as a singer these last few years. Songs like Threw It All Away, Give Me A Sign, and Stuck In A Rut show the emotion he is emitting now and shows how he is now trying to write meaningful music, insted of just writing. He still has vocal power to get you fist pumping and headbanging with songs like Tear It Down, Up From The Ashes, Dakota, I Wont Back Down, and Shine.

Music wise, guitarist Joey Roxx has really made a style of his own, after being mentored by Synyster Gates (Avenged Sevenfold). Songs such as Shine,We Wont Live Forever and Get It On stand out thanks to Joey and his sound.

Below, you will find my ratings of each song and any comments I have about them.

1) Tear It Down - 5/5 This is an easy song to get pumped up to, I listen to it for just that reason. Whenever im about to play an intense multiplayer game, you can hear this song lol.

2) Up From The Ashes- 4/5 It a very good song and catchy, but for the title track, its not what you would expect.

3) Stranded - 4/5

4) Threw It All Away - 5/5 This is probably my favorite song off the album, it really speaks to me personally. It makes me think of when someone who had everything they could ever want, is now just left with nothing because of the mistakes that person made, but they want to change more than anything for the people closest to them. Very deep and personal. Love it

5) Alone - 4/5

6) Stuck In A Rut- 5/5 Another personal song for me. It seems like a song by someone who is just heartbroken and is having a rough time in life. But they know things can and will get better.

7) Give Me A Sign- 5/5

8) Dakota- 5/5 a pretty good song, very powerful but a little depressing. The James has described the song as "a song of despair. It tells the tale of a person that lives in a black hole. Their emptiness is eating them from the inside out. They’re so consumed by hatred and addiction that they neglect the idea of hope and faith in those that love them." Ive got to say, they hit the nail on the head with that one. Its a personal favorite because Dakota also happens to be my 1st name lol.

9) Rest My Soul - 3/5 I didnt particularly like this song. To me, it just seemed to sound like a Nickelback song and I really dislike them. Maybe you'll like it though.

10) I Wont Back Down - 5/5 Another great song to get you pumped up.

11) Shine - 5/5 At first I couldnt get use to this song, It sounded so different from the other songs on the album. But after listening to it alot, I must say its pretty good.

12) We Wont Live Forever - 5/5

13) Get It On - 5/5

Overall, This is a pretty good album, and so far my favorite of 2011. If you want a good rock album, then pick this up. I guess on overall score would be 4.5/5