Diamond Lil - Misfits Of Society EP [Review]

Finding a sound as unique as this is an achievement in itself, yet this band take this and have crafted six songs that stand out in this age of manufactured, run-of-the-mill trash. Taking influence from the bands that perfected the genre, Diamond Lil seem more intent on carrying the torch for rock and doing so on their own merits rather than copying the tried and tested sounds of the past, these 4 guys have created a sound all on their own blending new and old style rock to create a new Frankenstein like sound. It's a beast of epic proportions and they go for the throat on all six of the tracks that this killer EP boasts.



“Bottom Of a Glass” and “Sex Injuries” are blistering rock anthems with instantly memorable choruses that are perfect for sold out arenas, "Misfits Of Society" is a call to arms for all those fans of the genre who feel outcast because of who we are and what we like, and in a sense Diamond Lil are exactly as this EP title suggests, they are a misfit band in a scene of copy cats and manufactured artists, “Beautiful Nowhere” is the ballad moment of the EP that is powerful and fueled with emotion and soul that could bring a tear to the eye of even the hardest rocker. “Reach” is seven and a half minutes of gritty, raw, unrelenting emotive song writing, and before we know it we are down to the last track of this outstanding debut effort. The amusingly named “Barrymore (I want more)”, regardless of where the name come from, this powerful closing track keeps you throwing that fist in the air and banging your head just as every other track on this six song epic has done.

Rock is very much alive folks in the black country, be sure to catch these boys live, because if this CD is anything to go by, then we are all in for a treat!

The Omega Experiment - The Omega Experiment [Review]

The Omega Experiment are a member of that very selective club of bands that hit the ground running instantly, their self-titled debut album is a piece of musical virtuosity, following in the footsteps of their idols like Devin Townsend and Dream Theater, The Omega Experiment have crafted an album that is clearly modeled on their influences, but shows enough originality to separate them.

The album itself creates vast soundscapes that provide a bed for the technical and well written style of the music, it’s an album so well written that it is how albums should be, no singular track feeling out of place or ruining the grand scheme of things, its written to be listened to in a single sitting and not in parts or as individual tracks.

This is a musical journey, the album itself acting as a guide through whatever journey the music takes you. This is how albums should be and it is a prime example of how a fresh band like this can throw a curve-ball in the industry.

Their debut EP was given away for free via their band camp page (http://theomegaexperiment.bandcamp.com/album/karma-ep) which was well received by Devin Townsend in particular.

Moments of experimentation and disjointed structuring only mirror this groups influences more but they have contorted these influences and made a convoluted masterpiece through which their own creativity shines.

The Omega Experiment are to be watched carefully as the band have announced they have begun writing a sophomore effort.

DEVICE - Vilify [Single] [Review]

“Vilify” is aggressive, industrial, heavy and elaborate. It’s a taster of what’s to come from the new beast that is DEVICE, the new band featuring Disturbed front man David Draiman.

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DEVICE is a different conception; any comparison to Disturbed just falls short as the only common denominator is Draiman himself; besides that this single is almost earth shattering.



“Vilify” is so well constructed that each listen unveils a new little secret that the song itself seemed to hold before, it teases with each lyric and each note of music that greater things are in store for the listener when the album drops



Draiman & Lenardo have created something bigger than the sum of its parts and should be more than proud with such a creation as its not often something as outstanding as this comes along to redefine the genre.



The members of DEVICE have found a new love for music it seems within this new entity and I for one cannot wait for the full album.

The Temperance Movement - Pride EP Review

In a world of such generic music and artists being contrived to please the masses, a band like The Temperance Movement shine through clearly. Showcasing their phenomenal talent is this debut 5 track EP. "Pride" is a prodigious statement, in the 5 tracks we are presented with, the band showcase their diverse style and song writing skills. Soul oozes from every note played and sung on this 5 track EP.

Kicking off the EP is “Ain’t No Telling”, a song that’s not written expressly for radio but is too catchy to not be a hit and have listeners singing along within the first spin of the track. The influences of blues and rock are blindingly obvious, but it’s not a bad thing, this band has taken a collection of inspirations and influences and created a Frankenstein like monster for their style, its awe-inspiring to hear a new band sounding better than most of their influences do right now.

“Only Friend” is what grabbed my attention and made me want to hear more from this band. If you heard it on the radio you would believe it was something written by a band beyond the years of “The Temperance Movement” as the craft Has been so well honed and perfected that it’s impossible to think this is on a debut EP.

“Pride” is the 3^rd track on the EP as well as being the title track for the EP, this is more laid back and a softer sounding piece, the band showcase the more diverse sides of the style they have perfected.

“Be lucky” follows suit building the pace, a “feel-good” track from which the band continues to diversify their style and sound, the whole EP is written to build you up when you feel knocked down.

“Lovers & Fighters” ends this EP on a soft note, bringing you back soothingly into normality after reminding you that new music does exist and new bands aren’t always run of the mill, soulless acts.

All in all this EP is extraordinary, it takes the influences of the past as a basis on which to build better and brighter things, these songs are a mere taste of the virtuosity of such youth and young blood in a genre that would have soon become based purely on nostalgia. “Pride” is not just the title of a track or the EP; it is something The Temperance Movement should have mounds of after releasing 5 songs like these.