Bite Me! CD Reviews G - R

Peter Gabriel - Up (Geffen)

Taking a cue from Trent Reznor (or is it vice versa?), Peter Gabriel starts Up with an ode to "Darkness" with a decidedly industrial yet moody feel.  The almost downer tone to Up continues with "Growing Up" and so does the electronic sound.  Being a pioneer in electronic music, Peter Gabriel's bent in that direction shouldn't surprise me, but it does because of how new he makes it sound all over again.  An absolutely remarkable CD - one that will reside in my CD player about as long as his So cassette did back in the day.  -J

Human Drama - Cause & Effect (Projekt/Deluxxe Media)1/2

If, over the years you have enjoyed or even missed Human Drama, you will like Cause & Effect.  If, like me, you didn't realize they were on milk cartons in some quarters, then you'll hate this CD.  It's almost laughable due to it's dated, overblown Broadway style.  I sat there thinking "You're kidding me, right?"  -J

Ill Nino – Confession  (RoadRunner)

Before the first song was over (Té Amo…I Hate You) I knew this was going to be a great album.  Ill Nino left an impressionable mark with ‘Revolution…Revolución’ but the band has matured quite nicely on Confession.  The new addition of Ahrue Luster (guitarist Machine Head) and Danny Couto (Drums) adds a fresh vibe to the group’s overall sound.  Despite drummer changes the complex percussion still stands out.  The hard rockin’ tunes that make up this intriguing offering are spiked with tropical and Latin flavored beats, soaring riffs, and a progressively melodic edge.  The angst is in all the right places and the melodies are strategically arranged.  This perfect union can be heard in the catchy and memorable “This Time’s For Real,” “Cleansing,” and “Numb”.  “How Can I Live” is another winner, and “Vaya Con Dios” will blow you away with its precise display of percussive techniques. (This song is truly amazing.)  The album closes with a high-octane blast of Latino metal titled “Re-Birth”.  All in all, Confession is a stylistic diversion from modern metal that displays Ill Nino’s aggressive energy and creative edge.  There’s lots of attitude, emotion, and angst dripping out of every crevice.  If this sounds like your thang, you owe it to yourself to pick this disc up.  You’ll be happy you did.  -NIN

Lamb of God - As The Palaces Burn (Prosthetic)

As we move into a new age of apocalyptic uncertainty, As the Palaces Burn provides an all too realistic vision of things to come.  A blistering chemical assault of intensive close-knit extreme death metal that kept me just wanting more.  With only 2 full-length releases, Lamb of God have proven themselves to be one of the main contenders in the fine art of sophisticated speed metal.  This album is truly a killer release that transcends the boundaries of today and paves a grim path for the future. -Colin Bowel

Level (Z Records)

Level is a rambunctious rap-metal outfit with lots of style and flair.  And, while the addition of a DJ is no longer revolutionary, DJ Primer’s turntable prowess adds character to each propelling tune.  On their self-titled/self-produced offering, the explosive L.A. sextet delivers a fast, loud, and intense dose of metal.  These hard-hitting tracks are as catchy and groove-oriented as they are aggressive.  The melodies flow nicely, and the orchestration is above average.  Linkin Park mastered the sound and Level has capitalized upon it.  But that’s okay, I’d much rather listen to Level than Evanescence any day. -NIN

Minibar - Fly Below the Radar (Foodchain Records/JetSet 2000 PR) 1/4

I absolutely love about 1/4 of Fly Below the Radar, and felt ambivalent about the rest.  What's a reviewer to do?  Minibar reminds me of Lifehouse mixed with Wilco - although these guys claim to be from Britain, the only Brit-pop I find is in the breeziness of the songwriting.  If you like your alt-pop mixed in with your slide guitar, check these guys out.  Recommended: "It is What it is", "Breathe Easy", "Badlands".  -J

Motograter (Elektra / No Name) 3/4

Meet Motograter - a band whose members wear tribal paint on their faces and go by names like Nuke, Grater, Smur, Ghost, and Crispy.  A little lame, but if a gimmick works go with it.  Aside from their weird names, this Texas experimental outfit utilizes an odd instrument called…‘motograter’.  The motograter was created by the band’s founder, Grater, who uses it in place of a bass guitar.  The instrument is made out of industrial cables and varied gears and it combined guitar and bass into one unit.  Unique it is; however, it does little to enhance the band’s sound.  In fact, the motograter kind of drowns out the other instruments with its muddy tones.  Muddiness aside, there’s still lots of crunch and aggression in this pulverizing release to keep the metal heads happy.  Ghost’s apocalyptic vocals critically analyze social norms and American capitalism, which pretty much confirms that Motograter are seriously pissed off dudes.  Better get of the way.  -NIN

Nothingface - Skeletons (TVT) 1/2

A powerful composure fueled by emotion and inspired by political and religious corruption.  This is the way of the land when you’re talking about this band.  With demons of their own to fend off, the boys focus their energy on child molesting priests and the Bush Administration’s Middle East policies.  With more than two years in the making and no real time frame to finish, Nothingface were able to create the kind of release that was well worth the wait. -Colin Bowel

OhGr – SunnyPsyOp (Spitfire) 3/4

The nouveau-industrial collaboration between Nivek Ogre and Mark Walk is back with an intriguing release titled, SunnyPsyOp.  This adventurous outing mixes all sorts of musical ideas, which are punctuated by compelling digital accents, pulsating beats, and soothing interludes.  The electrically charged “Hilo“ kicks off this collection of vibrantly pulsating electro-tinged gems.  There’s lots of propulsive dance floor movers to be found as SunnyPsyOp serves up delicious slices of sonic mutilations that are mixed with tidbits of ‘80s modern trickery.  The hip-hop underpinnings of “EnDai” are alluring.  “ShiTe” is an interesting instrumental that revolves around a series of blips and beeps and the hidden track is worth the wait. (So is the bonus video.)  Overall, the duo’s expertise and finesse has resulted in a stunning accomplishment.  Oh, and in case you haven’t heard, there’s a new Puppy album in the works.   -NIN

One Man Army - Rumors and Headlines (BYO Records)3/4

I saw this band on the 2nd stage at Warped Tour a few years back and was really impressed with their professionalism and energy live.  Impressed enough to remember them 3 years later as I write this, which tells you something.  So it's a shame their songs on Rumors and Headlines bring nothing new to a sort of tired out street-punk genre.  Part The Business, part Clash, One Man Army is all business -- pounding the skins and doing the requisite old-school chords and runs.  Doesn't do anything for me on CD, but live these guys friggin' rock.  -J

The Paperbacks (Enabler Records) 1/2

Ok, so straight up, I’m gonna tell you that I adore this CD.  I’ve never heard of this Chicago band before but this EP is the absolute business.  Truly do what you can to get a hold of this disc.  I can’t stop playing it.  I’m a sucker for a chick singer and in Laura "L" Hotshot they have a bloody great one.  From the first song, "Catastrophe," I am floored by the energy on display.  The twin guitar attack of Chris and Jay sounds awesome—just as guitars were made to sound like…turned to 11.  This disc only has 6 tracks but every one is the real thing.  The first song, "Catastrophe," sounds like something by 7 Year Bitch.  Then, with barely a breath we go into "I Know About Rock ‘n’ Roll," which treads the line of bands such as D4 and The Pattern—it’s all Stooges garage and it ends with Raw Power style plinking piano.  "Drop Dead Crazy" is up next and again it's a great big trashy thrash of a tune.  With the drums of Robbie Butler being pounded into submission, it just makes you want to keep turning your stereo up more and more.  The pace slows on track 4, and we hear a song that owes a lot to Patti Smith mixed with a Courtney Love called "You Won’t Get My Tears".  You will also catch snatches of The Donnas especially on "Ruin You".  To these ears the EP ends with a grungy blast in the shape of a dirty Mudhoney of a song called "Way Out and Wild".  Then it’s over (sniff). Hit repeat.  Fall in love.  PS: The bands website address is www.thepaperbacks.rockandrollband.com   Perfect!  -Glen

Razed In Black – Damaged  (Cleopatra) 1/2 

Romell Regulacion, founder and creator of the electro synth pop outfit Razed In Black, demonstrates his panache for meaty hooks and pulsating beats on this marvelous double CD set.  Damaged is a stylistic diversion from past Razed In Black releases as it mixes elements of house, industrial, hip-hop, and metal into one cohesive whole.  This crossbreed of styles spawns multi-layered musical soundscapes that create an emotionally charged mix of throbbing electronic manipulations.  Disc one is comprised of nine invigorating tracks, which display the band’s ability to break free from genre restraints.  The second bonus disc features inventive reconstructions that are not limited to the confines of the dance floor; in addition to two enhanced CDR live performance videos, which were shot at the fabulous Key Club.  And the best part is…you can get all this for a price that won’t break the bank.  What more can you ask for?  On Damaged, Razed In Black have delivered a seductively dark hybrid of musical styles that will delight the listener from beginning to end.  -NIN

Reach 454 (Lava)

This pummeling post-hardcore outfit was founded in 1996 by former Sick of it All bassist Richie Cipriano, (now on guitar).  Reach 454 takes alt-metal to the extreme by mixing melodic rock with the heaviness of Bad Brains and the artiness of Jane’s Addiction.  There’s lots of solid grooves to be found amongst the tribal beats and fuzzed-out riffs.  A ragged distorted guitar riff announces the lead track “New Scar (Won’t Be Like You)“.  The bone-crushing “6 Yrs” displays vocalist Rene Mata’s penchant for using life’s hardships as inspiration.  This chilling tune unveils the horrors that lead to the choice between sobriety or death.  “Wake Up” is another powerful track that is balanced out by the atmospheric textures of “In Your Arms”.  The band’s combination of pop-friendly hooks and rigid song structures works well, especially in the unforgettable “Stay With Me” and the catchy angst-driven “Come Apart,” which features Jacoby Shaddix (P-Roach) who happens to be a big fan of the band.  -NIN

The Revolution Smile – Above The Noise (Flawless)

Here is a band that deserves the alt rock title.  The Revolution Smile is heavily influenced by Nirvana and Helmet.  Above the Noise is the album that the cool kid who hangs out on the corner turns all his friends on to.  The Revolution Smile is the brainchild of former Far guitarist Shaun Lopez – a man who turned down the opening guitarist slot in Limp Bizkit to play the music that was in his heart.  Luckily, the Limp Bizkit connection paid off as the Sacramento quartet has found a home on the Bizkit frontman’s label, but that is where the connection ends as The Revolution Smile bears no resemblance to rap metal.  In fact, their brain meets brawn sound is rounded out by the band’s emphasis on texture and atmosphere.  The churning “Bonethrower” gets the groove flowing.  Strategically placed synth accents compliment “The Ride of Los Angeles” and “Gun”.  Rock meets new wave in “Payday” and “Alien” and “Looking Down The Barrel” is an impressive little number that proves the cool kid was right -- Above The Noise is too smart for mainstream consumption.  -NIN