New Rock Reviews International is back!

All right, boys and girls. This is gonna be a short one for now.

We're trying to revive this blog. Somehow I thought it would be easier to write two blogs simultaneously but now I've got the time to focus on the English-speaking part of this website a little more.

We received a lot of emails lately from bands requesting reviews for their albums and record companies wanting us to spread their news. Don't worry, it'll all come up soon. Reviews and news.

And this is the new thing. In order to make it easier for us to keep this blog going, we're expanding from writing only reviews to also writing some stories and comments on news from the music (of course mainly rock, blues, and metal) business.

What does this mean? Writing comments on news stories, or even news articles ourselves, helps us a lot in keeping this blog up and running. And of course we can also post more frequently which is, as far as I guess, in everybody's interest.

Does this mean, we're going from reviews to news? Not quite. The substantial element of this website has always been writing reviews and this is not going to change. Writing comments on news stories, however, will fill the gaps between one and the next review. The only change is that we're posting more frequently. Nothing else.

How often do we plan to post now? This depends. I'm trying to publish one post every two days. Ideally, every day. Reviews depend on how many albums we've received. But as soon as there is enough stuff to write about, I would post reviews at least twice a week.

Is there anything else that's going to change? Maybe. We think about posting some videos once or twice a month to help you relax your eyes from reading all the stuff that we're posting ;)

If there are any thoughts or comments about these new plans, or if you know some bands who'd like to be mentioned in a news post or even want us to review their latest album, don't hesitate to comment on this post.

Cheers,

Dan

Review: Ysma - Carrots and Candles

Info

Band: Ysma

EP: Carrots and Candles (Live)

Style: Progressive Rock/Metal

Released: 15^th January, 2014

Label: none

Country: Germany

Facebook: www.facebook.com/YsmaBand

Alright, I'll start this year with some short information about a band that I didn't mention here on the international section yet. Still, check them out on bandcamp.com. There's a real chance you'd like it. The band I'm talking about is a German band called YSMA. In July 2013, they released their debute album Vagrant which got a detailed review on the German section at that time.

Anyway, the band is going to release their live EP Carrots and Candles on the 15^th January, and they're definitely worth getting more attention. If you knew Vagrant, you would know what the songs sounded like – just that this time YSMA played them unplugged.

The concert took place on the 26^th October, 2013 in a small venue in Munster, Germany. Originally, the band would consist of only four members but for this gig they got themselves a pianist and a cellist to help them out. Talking about the songs, I can tell you that they didn't really change much – apart from being unplugged, which honestly had me thinking that there would be a big loss of energy in the sound. Well, I was wrong. As on the album, some parts of the songs are made for dreaming but still you'd realize when the electric guitars would have come in on the original record.

Right at start, you'll get to hear one of my favourite songs off Vagrant: “Alan Smithee's Suicide Note”. The variation within the song doesn't make you feel as if it would be ten minutes long. Time flies by instead. A great version of the track. My absolute favourite though, is “Urville Citizen”. Like the original version, the song starts off very slow and tranquil. On the album you can hear the song getting more powerful by the electric guitars coming in; in this version however, you'd realize it by listening to how the guitars are played which I think is a great way to teach your ears the difference between “cool” and “awesome”. Well done!

And that's a “well done” for the whole EP. Not only those who know the album should listen to these acoustic versions but also those who never heard of YSMA and Vagrant before. Both can be downloaded here, if you guys are interested: ysma.bandcamp.com. I also attached a short video of their acoustic version of “Kindermensch” below.

Hope you like it!

PS: As I already wrote a detailed review (even if it wasn't on the internation section), I won't give any points to the record as this short text is only meant as a small piece of information - not a real review... Sorry.

Listen to: “Urville Citizen“, “Alan Smithee's Suicide Note“, and “Kindermensch”

Tracklist:

1. Alan Smithee's Suicide Note

2. Kindermensch

3. Clean

4. Penumbra

5. Urville Citizen

6. Cheesecake Auditory

7. Moth

Members:

Guitar: Fabian Schroer

Guitar: Daniel Kluger

Bass: Torge Dellert

Piano: Arne Timm

Cello: Anne Hagemann

Drums: Jens Milo

Review: Unparalleled Height - Rise of the Voiceless

Info

Band: Unparalleled Height

Album: Rise of the Voiceless

Style: Hard Rock / Metal

Released: 26^th November, 2013

Label: Independent

Country: USA

Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnparalleledHeight

Seeing bands like BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, and TRIVIUM in a band's description always makes me take a closer look at what these bands sound like. So, when I recently discovered UNPARALLELED HEIGHT I knew I had to give it a go and listen to their debute release Rise of the Voiceless.

In terms of production, I can't help but think about JUDAS PRIEST's Nostradamus (think whatever you like about the album but the production is quite similar). This, by the way, should not indicate what the music sounds like on Rise of the Voiceless.

The record starts off with a short intro (“The Rise”) that creates just the dark atmosphere you'd expect from an album like this. Following this is the first real song: “Strength Through Silence”. Heavy, but still melodic guitars and time changes here and there build up a rather progressive song which already makes me think of some of the already mentioned bands (during the interlude, especially BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE comes into mind).

“Memories Remain” starts with a real “in-your-face”-attitude. An AVENGED SEVENFOLD verse and riffs that could have found a place on the second KILLSWITCH ENGAGE album The End of Heartache – who couldn't like this? The only critique that could possibly be mentioned is the choruses. A little too slow and soft for my taste, but in the end this is up to everyone's own likes. However, I love the verse in “Spare This Soul” with its great drive. Makes me think of KILLSWITCH ENGAGE again (maybe they should be added in the description, too?).

One of the record's first highlights is “Breaking Through”. No matter how hard I look, I can't find anything in this song that I could criticize. The intro's heavy groove, the (at first) guitar-less verse, and this time even the chorus – this song is an absolute recommendation! In “Never Far Away” it's time to break it down a little. Acoustic guitars in the verse and the synthesizers in the background make this track a really nice rock ballad.

Enough ballads for now – or at least that's what you could think listening to the intro to “The Vision Never Dies”. But again, the verse is very balladic; although, this time it's really just the verse. What I like most about the track is the constantly played lead towards the end of the chorus that just doesn't want to leave your head. “Dethroned” – damn it, I found my favourite. The lyrics, the riffs, the solos, the breakdown (!), everything. Without protest, this HAS to be the album's best song!

Or has it? “Steadfast Spirit” starts off promising as well. The verse's riffs are heavy as hell, the chorus is just as I would want all the other choruses on the album to be – powerful and with a melody that stick to your head – and again one of the mightiest breakdowns I've heard this year (and I listened to ABR's Rescue and Restore!). Great song! “Malevolence End” just doesn't even pretend to give me the time to catch some breath. Mighty riffs, heavy grooves, TRIVIUM-like interludes, great vocals – six minutes that are more than just enjoyable.

Rise of the Voiceless closes with “Heroes Prevail” – an absolutely epic song. Starting off quite silent and balladic, it soon progresses into an (JUDAS PRIESTs Nostradamus-like) interlude and continues into an awesome rock verse. The synthesizers sometimes even remind me of Swedish band SONIC SYNDICATE's first album Eden Fire. This song doesn't offer six minutes, but ten minutes, of brilliant songwriting.

Rise of the Voiceless is a promising debute album by a band that you should definitely keep an eye on. The four songs towards the end and “Breaking Through” show the band's potential, and I can't wait to hear more of these guys.

Listen to: “Breaking Through”, “Dethroned”, “Steadfast Spirit”, “Malevolence End”, “Heroes Prevail”

8 out of 10 points

Track list:

1. The Rise

2. Strength Through Silence

3. Memories Remain

4. Spare This Soul

5. Breaking Through

6. Never Far Away

7. The Vision Never Dies

8. Dethroned

9. Steadfast Spirit

10. Malevolence End

11. Heroes Prevail

Members:

Vocals: Dave Kelly

Guitar, Vocals: Tyler James Larkin

Lead Guitar: CJ Masciantonio

Bass: James Davis

Drums: Justin Welling

Review: Zelinka - Zelinka

Info

Band: Zelinka

Album: Zelinka

Style: EVERYTHING!

Released: October 2013

Label: none

Country: Germany

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Zelinka.Music

As it's Christmas soon, I thought I'd make you the present of another review. Am I nice, or what? But to be serious: I had to introduce you to this band as I only heard of them myself a couple of weeks ago. I was quite sure that there wasn't one album to be released that would make me change my Top5 list of my favourite albums in 2013 – well, I was wrong.

I doubt that I introduced you to YSMA earlier this year (shame on me) but ZELINKA are kind of a similar band. Less proggy but still instrumental. And good. No, awesome! Zelinka starts with a song called “Catacomb”. I know I said the album was less proggy – well, this song isn't. It's got a lot of breaks, a lot of changes, brilliant solos; in short, everything you need. If it wasn't for the length which sometimes makes me want the song to end. “Safaga”, however, couldn't be long enough. Funky, rocking, and simply one of the best songs on the album, that song's possibly the reason for many bassists amongst you to put their instruments aside for a while. Listen to “Safaga” and you'll know what I mean.

If you always though about what Spanish summers would sound like, “Silent” is the track for you. Acoustic guitars, Latin European melodies (if there even is a Latin Europe), and an electric guitar solo that gives me goose bumps. Following this is “Room No. 15” with a blues-like groove to it. You just can't complain about change on this album: it's always there! It's kind of hard to write during the verse as I am always jumping up from my chair to dance to it. Oh, and don't get me started about the bass solo!

And here comes rock again. “Toxic” (no, it's not a Britney Spears cover) has jazz-like rock solos in it that can't not be loved! Every guitarist should listen closely here as this is (without doubt) great music. The name “Chill Out” already indicates the chilled-out atmosphere in the beginning of the track. Following this is a nice lead that sticks to your head forever (believe me, I know what I'm talking about as I already listened to the album for the last couple of weeks). These six minutes will be gone like nothing. Guaranteed by New Rock Reviews!

Back to funk: “Funky Bitch” already hints at what you can and should expect. As in “Room No. 15” I can't sit around listening to this track, and just have to move around the room dancing. Pure brilliance (the song not my dancing, that is). Blues fans will be delighted about “The Cat”. It's really hard to sit still listening to Zelinka – and when hard rock enters the song for a short riff during the end, I know I have to love this album! Where do these guys get their ideas from? That stuff is brilliant!

Hard rock wasn't the worst choice of words, by the way. “Gipsy March” (yeah, I know, politically incorrect) is a hard rock song! Boom! The only style that I was missing on the album. These guitars and riffs would have made many long-haired rockers headbanging. But – what – is that reggae? It's … reggae. I'm speechless. Hard rock and reggae in one and the same song – that's what I call courage. The last one on the album is “Raindrops”, a song that has an atmosphere to make you dream like when you're looking out the window on a rainy Sunday. What a nice ending for ZELINKA's debute.

ZELINKA can't be doubted in terms of music. Nor can they be doubted in terms of songwriting. NOR can they be doubted in terms of variation. One point, however, is sometimes a bit less brilliant: A singer would have made this album a 10. Without doubt.

Listen to: “Safaga”, “Room No. 15”, “Funky Bitch”, “Gipsy March”, “Raindrops”

9.5 out of 10 points

Tracklist

1. Catacomb

2. Safaga

3. Silent

4. Room No. 15

5. Toxic

6. Chill Out

7. Funky Bitch

8. The Cat

9. Gipsy March

10. Raindrops

Members

Guitars: Bernd Fleischer

Bass: Torsten Großmann

Drums: Kay Rohr

Review: Life's Too Short For Us - Everything's Fine (EP)

First of all: Considering this as the first blog post in months, I guess I would have to say sorry to all the regular readers who keep coming back to the page and continuously keep being disappointed about not seeing any new reviews. So here we go: I'm sorry, and seriously annoyed with my work morals. As some of you might know, the main part of New Rock Reviews is in German and I'm (in contrast to the German counterpart) the only one writing reviews on here which makes it quite hard to stay up-to-date with it. I'll try and improve in keeping the posts more regular from the start of next year onwards. Call it a New Year's pledge.

Anyway, the good news is: This informational post isn't going to stand here as the last post made for the next ten or so weeks. There's actually a review coming up. A review! Incredible! Or as the reviewed band (possibly) would say: ongelooflijk! Excuse my Dutch.

Band: Life's Too Short For Us

Album: Everything's Gone (EP)

Style: Skate Punk

Release: 29^th October 2013

Label: none

From: Holland

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LTSFU

LIFE'S TOO SHORT FOR US recently released (well, I say recently and mean October...) their new three-track-EP Everybody's Fine and with that is the first band to enjoy their record getting an English review first on New Rock Reviews! How about that?

Unfortunately, the whole record is only about ten minutes long; but it's quality not quantity that counts, right? In terms of production, I think about one of my favourite ZEBRAHEAD albums ever: Playmate of the Year. In other words: Production? Ongelooflijk good!

But the ZEBRAHEAD influence doesn't just stop in matters of production. It's the songwriting, too. I used to skate (and I mean on a skateboard not with those stupid little rolls – or even worse: blades! – beneath your feet, that might make you look interesting when you're a girl but also make you feel kind of weird as a guy...) a little bit – and I failed big time – when I was way younger and these songs kind of make me want to buy a new skateboard (although, considering my ability to actually use it, this would be kind of a waste on money) as I gave my old one to my little brother. Kind of obvious if you suck in skating, right?

Now, back to the music: “Where We're From” starts with a bass intro and turns into a really good classic skate punk track with a catchy chorus and everything you'd expect. Could it be any better? Well … maybe, if the song wouldn't be three but 45 minutes long! Just kidding, of course.

“Your Approval” has a similar structure, although the chorus isn't quite AS catchy as the one in “Where We're From”. The song is kind of diverse with a few changes in rhythm from time to time. Quite nice and definitely a nice opportunity to start a mosh pit during a live concert.

The same's true for “Not Gonna Play”. What a tune! My favourite part about this powerful, melodic, and ongelooflijk good track is the little “breakdown” (if you want to call it that) towards the end. Fair play, guys. I love it.

Everything's Fine, although being way too short for my tastes, is absolutely recommendable to everyone into BLINK-182 (although I managed not to mention them up to now), ZEBRAHEAD, and all other bands who're active in this kind of music genre. However, a couple more songs would have been nice; and then we could talk about some more points...

6 out of 8 points

Tracklist:

1. Where We're From

2. Your Approval

3. Not Gonna Play

Members:

Vocals, Guitars: Stefan

Guitars: Kevin

Bass: Jasper

Drums, Backings: Sean

Review: I The Mighty - Satori

Info

Band: I The Mighty

Album: Satori

Style: Rock

Released: 2013

Label: Equal Vision Records

From: USA

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ithemighty

Website: www.ithemighty.com

What would we do without Facebook? There's no doubt about the various opportunities social networks are offering and since MySpace more and more bands are using social networks to promote their music. To cut a long story short: If it hadn't been for Facebook, I would never have found American band I The Mighty, who released their first album “Satori” this year.

The album's opener “Speak to Me” immediately reminds me of A day To Remember. Shouts during the intro, a chorus that gets stuck in my head and parts that remind me of early Brit-rockers You Me At Six. A good start to the album with mighty guitars and a very modern sound of production. In “Failures”, the first single off “Satori”, the change between rocky songs bits and a bit more tranquil and melodic sounds becomes more obvious. What I like most about this song is the rocky breakdown just before the chorus, and the gang shouts during the interlude. This song is definitely a wise choice for a first single and without any doubts my absolute favourite (if you want to, you can watch the video to the song below).

“Some Say It's Your Loss“ reminds me again of You Me At Six' rock/pop and also of Funeral For A Friend's post-hardcore sound. This song is not particularly special in any way but not a bad one either. Still, I think the song could have been better with a few changes here and there. “Ivy” is the first slighty more tranquil song (or at least “slower” song on the record). I like the change between verse (which reminds me of Kids In Glass Houses' “Smart Casual”) and the great sing-along-chorus (that you would also find on my Lostprophets albums). My next listening recommendation.

“Artfull Temtpress (Paint Me Senseless)” again is the already known modern-rock-sound with its many guitar knick knacks, driving rhythms and the small break in the middle that gives you the time catch some air and is followed by a great lead guitar. A delight for my ears! Another part that would fit perfectly well on a Lostprophets album is the verse to “The Frame, Pt.2: Keep Breathing”. I like the very melodic bass and especially the Latin American sound during the interlude. Well done!

“Four Letter Words” convinces me with its progressive rhythms and slightly metal-like guitars as well as co-singer Colleen D'Agostino. “Echoes” again reminds me of Lostprophets' “Start Something”, but the lyrics definitely are the highlight – not just in this track but also on the whole record.

Following the lyrical highlight on the record is another musical one. “Occupatience” really brings some change to the album by being completely acoustic! Although “A Spoonful of Shallow Makes Your Head an Empty Space“ sounds like many other songs on “Satori”, the song sounds even mightier as it follows the acoustic track.

“Ember” has a relatively interesting intro with much delay on the guitars and only in the chorus it becomes clear, that this song is one of the more ballad-like tracks. Unfortunately, the song sounds a bit too much like current You Me At Six. The intro to “Between the Lines” is very promising as well, but again the chorus is way too tranquil. It seems as if the band can't keep up the strength of the previous songs.

“The Quick Fix” confirms this impression at the beginning but this time I am positively surprised during the chorus. This song definitely saved the album's ending.

Although the one (“Some Say It's Your Loss”) or the other song (“Ember”) seems to be more or less unnecessary to me and could instead have been exchanged by two or three more varied songs, these four Americans are on a good way. I The Mighty are definitely worth to keep an eye on.

Listen to: „Failures“ (Video), „Ivy“, „Echoes“, „Occupatience“, „The Quick Fix“)

7,5 out of 10 points

Tracklist:

1. Speak to Me

2. Failures

3. Some Say It's Your Loss

4. Ivy

5. Artfull Temptress (Paint Me Senseless)

6. The Frame, Pt.2: Keep Breathing

7. Four Letter Words

8. Echoes

9. Occupatience

10. A Spoonful of Shallow Makes Your Head An Empty Space

11. Ember

12. Between the Lines

13. The Quick Fix

Members:

Vocals, Guitar: Brent Walsh

Guitar: Ian Pedigo

Bass: Chris Hinkley

Drums: Blake Dahlinger

Review: The Aqualung - The Aqualung

Info

Band: The Aqualung

Album: The Aqualung

Style: Alternative Rock

Released: 2013

Record company: none

From: Germany

Facebook: www.facebook.com/theaqualung

Website: www.theaqualung.de

When I first heard the name of that band, I immediately heard a transverse flute and the beginning of the Jethro Tull song of the same title. However, The Aqualung don't really have much in common with that progressive rock band from the 1970s. Everybody can make up their mind whether the lacking transverse flute is an advantage or disadvantage; meanwhile, I put my focus on their debut album “The Aqualung”.

As well as the sounds of the sea in the first moments of the instrumental opener “Immersion”, the first musical sounds create a tranquil and relaxing atmosphere. Towards the end of the track, the listener recognizes the first louder guitars which show to be a good preparation for “My Anxiety”. This song has a rocking intro and chorus and the only time you can actually take a breath is the verse. All in all, a very nice track.

I don't know why, but there are so many bands whose style reminds me either of Lostprophets or of Funeral For a Friend lately. “Breaking” makes me think of both. When the verse also could have been on the first Prophets album, the melancholy chorus could have been composed by FFAF. “... But We Will Never Surrender” is somehow similar to the previous track although there is a little break in the middle of the song which gives me a little break and, to me, seems very surprising. Well done!

“A Way Out” gives the album a little rockier twist. Like its preceding songs, there are a lot of progressive influences. The especially nice things about the song are the effects on the vocals and the drive in the chorus. Again a very good track. “On My Own” is a song I can only recommend to listen to. A very tranquil intro seems to suggest a ballad and the song's whole atmosphere stays balladic. My favourite part is the interlude with its little knick-knacks of effects which sometimes nearly sound like the singing of whales. That song is my absolute favourite on the record.

After so much balladic tunes, we have to get back to rock! And that's what's happening in “Our Oceans”. Again the cool, dark, and progressive interlude, which would have reminded me of Opeth had there been a little more gain on the guitars, is my favourite part in that track. Just great. However, I think the song is a bit too long towards the end as there aren't any vocals any more. That's for the record as well, as the last track, “The Aqualung Part I”, is the second instrumental after the opener on this record. The band's progressive twist is more than obvious in this one which becomes even more obvious if you take a look at the track's length. However, throughout the whole of its 11:19 minutes running time, there isn't the slightest hint of boredom for me. And that is the greatest praise I could give for the instrumental songwriting!

All in all, “The Aqualung” is a very interesting debut album which, however, is a little too predictable for my tastes of a progressive rock band. The exception to the law are the two instrumentals: “Immersion” and “The Aqualung Part I”. A little more change in the structure of the songs here and there and I could definitely predict a successful future for that band.

Listen to: “My Anxiety”, “On My Own”, “The Aqualung Part I”

7 out of 10 points

Tracklist:
1. Immersion

2. My Anxiety

3. Breaking

4. … But We Will Never Surrender

5. A Way Out

6. On My Own

7. Our Oceans

8. The Aqualung Part I

Members:

Guitars, Vocals: Daniel Höft

Guitars, Vocals: Johannes Schwitalla

Bass: Claas-Henning Dörries

Drums, Vocals: Cornelius Laube