Destroy Judas "Wake" 2011

 Artist: Destroy Judas

Album: Wake

Genre: Doom Metal/Post-Metal
 

Bandcamp: http://destroyjudas.bandcamp.com/

Tracklist:

1.      Wake

2.      To The Sea

3.      Seek The End

4.      Drown

Last.fm: ”We come from a long list of different bands (Mindrot, Phobia, Eyes of Fire, Asunder, Lachrymose, Noctuary, Winterthrall, Deathevokation, Dystopia, Semtex Vest, Dead America, Crisis, etc…). We all have grown up together in OC and known each other (mostly) for a long time, and until I get something else interesting up here, this will have to do”

Overall Sound: Destroy Judas play Doom metal with slight Post-Metal and Sludge influences as well. By reading their bio one would assume a mix of Doom metal, Sludge, Grindcore among others. Either way they as a collective group tend to gravitate toward Doom metal which in no respect is a bad thing. I feel its best summed up that this band is a combination of like Isis (no way as good as them but similar) mixed with Neurosis and slight Opeth sound. The production is absolutely superb on this album compared to many I’ve listened to this year. I just recently heard about this band just by happening to see it on another blog I was reading.

Guitar:  Typical Doom/Post Metal guitar. Heavy as it could be I almost wish at times there were more moments of rawness and a deeper tone but either way I think it is safe to say that there really nothing to change with guitars.

Bass: My main issue with his album is the fact that the bass is there because you can hear it, but it is not high enough in the mix to match the intensity driven onslaught the Guitar and the Drums deliver. Although still the moments you need to feel it, you do.

Drums:  Another great addition that just correlates with the guitar in so many ways. The drumming in my opinion keeps this album alive.

Vocals/Lyrics: Isis meets Opeth? I think so but there are moments of almost clear vocals, on the opener “Wake”. By far though I think my favorite track Lyrically is “To the Sea” where the vocalist belts out “Is this all there is to life, constant set back, Endless dire, Search my heart to find desire, Only to Fall and Fail Again! Take me Back to the sea, Leave me Under the Sea”. Even though I enjoy the vocals I think they are too high in the mix of the album but im sure others would disagree with me. Oh well…..

Overall Impression: I truly enjoyed just laying here listening to this album but I feel this would be more useful during the winter months, much like Black metal is to set the mood and bleakness of reality. I recommend checking this album out on their Bandcamp, you can name your own price completely worth it trust me if you’re a Doom Metal fan it’s a definite must pick up.

Rating:  9/10

Braveyoung(ex. GIANT) "BLOOM -12 inch vinyl" 2009

Artist: Braveyoung
Album: BLOOM - 12" Vinyl
Genre: Post metal/Post Rock

Myspace: Braveyoung
Tracklist:

1. Upon The Boughs Which Shake Against The Cold
2. The Days That Sat In Front Of Everything
   

Overall Sound: Being the Braveyoung/Giant listener I am, I was extremely stoked to hear BLOOM which is sort of a challenging listen when compared to the "Tides/Giant split" or the always beautiful "SONG" which gets constant circulation on my Ipod. Last year this band had to change its name from "Giant" to "Braveyoung" because the 80's ballad band "Giant" to my knowledge complained or something w/e, but anyway supposedly Braveyoung was the same band as Giant with a new name. This came as a surprise to me considering i had never heard this Braveyoung material until just probably two days ago when i finally got my hands on a copy, and lemme tell you its not Full on Sludge-ridden post metal anymore, its more post rock influenced and their is no vocals with the occasional post metal influence tossed in for good measure. This LP was recorded at a church in Greensboro,NC .Either way this is kind of a toss up, if you take an open mind when listening its very enjoyable, but if your close minded and looking for another CD like "SONG" this is not very much up your alley.

Guitar: Easily the most focused instrument on the CD outside of the bass. Most everything you can hear correctly but to me it sounds a bit over mastered/mixed in certain spots of songs.

Bass: Very easy to hear and follow along with much like the guitar, but the bass however does not cut out and you can be sure to recognize its different sections of songs almost automatically.

Drums: This by far is the worst part of the LP, just because i feel like i am so stuck on the "SONG" full length that i cant overcome the quality. But all in all over a period of a couple of listens they are not so bad.

Vocals/Lyrics: none to be mentioned, this is somewhat distressing because its one of the main elements i enjoy about this band. Very much like ISIS or Blackwaves

Overall Impression: With a "Do It Yourself" sound "BLOOM" will grow on you and never let you go because the melody's portrayed are so engrossing you'll forget your listening only if you let it get hold of you. I miss the old sound much more though because there is a ton of good post rock bands i like, only a select few Sludge/Post metal bands .However i am hoping that a new full length by Braveyoung will come hopefully this year or next. However long it takes, is of no importance but if you want some good post metal/post rock sounds please check out and support this band. They deserve every penny they've ever made.

Killer Tracks: All

Rating: 8.5/10




Braveyoung - Sun from Stew Cantrell on Vimeo.