JUSTIN’S METAL REVIEWS W/C 3/9/07

 

 

DOWNN / III – OVER THE UNDER

 

Wow this is more like it, only 5 years since the last Down album and they sound even better than last time, this is Class Rock with a capital C, Down really are a super group.

 

Their music is steeped in the blues and their Southern Flavoured Rock is a joy to listen to, despite all that has happened in the New Orleans area with the hurricane devastation and all the guys suffering collectively and personally they have managed to channel all this into a dozen of the best songs in the world.  With Down the sum of the whole is more than the sum of the parts and you can tell from listening to the music these guys are a band and not just a side project, listen to “Nothing In Return” and tell me this is not one of the best songs ever written, it has that classic Fender Rhodes piano sound as used in “No Quarter” and “Riders On The Storm”, and has a slow, haunting feel to it that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, yes, its that good and that’s just one song.  There is not a single note out of place on this CD and every song is a modern classic and deserves your attention.

 

I don’t need to go on about this CD as its that good you have to buy it or your seriously missing out, buy the digi pack and you get an extra track as well, when I saw them live in June 2006 at Rock City Nottingham it was the high point of the year and they are touring again so if they come anywhere near you DON’T MISS OUT, go see them.  ABSOLUTY ESSENENTIAL BUY.

 

WEBSITE      http://www.down-nola.com/

 

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 60 GLORIOUS mins + 12 TRACKS

 

AS I LAY DYING / AN OCEAN BETWEEN US

 

If your looking for a damn good Hardcore album with tons of real good solid guitar riffs and more than a hint of Melody with some intelligent lyrics then look no further than As I Lay Dying’s new album.

 

This album is more focused than previous and it has a top notch production and mixing from Colin Richardson that helps no end, giving that all important edge that you need to succeed in the Hardcore market, check out “I Never Wanted” for proof of their high standard you wont fail to be impressed.  All the songs as you would expect are full of angst, aggressive and power but this time more resolute than they have ever been, more dynamics with some very impressive guitar playing that is awe inspiring and makes this album a joy to listen to.

 

Listen out for: “An Ocean Between Us”, “Wrath Upon Ourselves”, “and The Sound Of Truth”, “Within Destruction” and “Bury Us All”, Christian Hardcore is here to stay and with God on their side how can they fail.

 

WEBSITE      http://www.asilaydying.com/ & http://www.metalblade.de/

 

DOWNLOAD            “Nothing Left” Video

 

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 43 mins + 12 BLISTERING TRACKS