white wizzard

New Music Monday White Wizzard The Devil’s Cut

In this Music Monday blog, we are going to get into the latest record from White Wizzard.  It is called “The Devil’s Cut.”  We are going to get into the history and then the music off this new record.  Let us get into the history.

History:

White Wizzard was founded in 2007 by bass player, Jon Leon.  He was looking to bring back the classic hard rock and metal sound to fans looking for it.  The band released their first EP, which was called “White Wizzard,” in 2008.  Even with some success at first, the band loss three of their orignal members.  They went on to start a new band called Holy Grail that has similar music style.  Jon Leon signed a contract with Earache Records and then started to search for members for the second line up.  After filling the second line up, the band released their second EP, which is called “High Speed GTO,” in 2009.  In 2010, the band released their first full length record, which was called “Over The Top.”  White Wizzard was nominated for Best New Artist at Metal Hammer Golden Gods.  In 2011, the band released their second record, which was called “Flying Tigers.”  The band in 2013 released their third record, which was called  “The Devil’s Cut.”  White Wizzard put out their new single, which was called “Marathon Of Dreams,” on their new label White Wizzard Records.  This is first time in history of the band that features Jon Leon on lead singer and Devin Lebsack.  This band has went through several line up changes after the release of “The Devil’s Cut.”  Let us get into the music.

Track List:

Forging The Steel

There is a nice classic hard rock driving music at the beginning of the song.  I love the guitar work at the beginning of the song.  This music sounds like something out of the late 1970’s to early 1980’s.  This is a nice intro song to the record.

Strike The Iron

I love the blend from the first track to the second track.  The music pace has picked up.  The singer sounds like someone from Riot or Saxon.  I love the lyrics and singing.  This song has a sound like it came right from Riot.  I love the short guitar solo.  They wrote a nice opening track for this record.  There is a nice expanded guitar solo towards the back half of the song.  I love the music towards the end of the music.  It sounds like two different songs on the back half of the song.

Kings Of The Highway

I love the slower pace of this song.  I love singing and lyrics.  I love the theme of this song.  Jon put some thought on the lyrics.  He did a great job on it.   This is a great song but I feel it should be a little faster.  I love the guitar solo towards the end of the song.  There is a guitar solo to take the song out.  It has a nice fade out.

Lightening In My Hands

The beginning of the song remains me some old school Iron Maiden music.  There is some nice guitar and bass playing.  Even the singing remains me of Bruce.  I love the lyrics.  I love the guitar solo towards the end.  I also love the bass playing.  There is another nice well written guitar solo towards the end of the song.  I love the trade-off on the guitar solos.

Steal Your Mind

There is a nice slight dark tone guitar playing at the beginning of the song.  I love the slow down to bring the singer with some nice guitar work.  There is some nice singing and well written lyrics.  This is a great song but I just feel it is too slow for my taste.  I love the short guitar solos throughout the song.  It is becoming too much now.  This is too long but it is a great song.  I just wish it was a little faster.  I love how it the pace finally picks up towards the back half of the song.

The Devil’s Cut

I love the drumming and how the guitar playing is at the beginning.  The shinning light is the bass playing.  It is some awesome playing.  I am not too sure on how I feel about the singing from the singer.  I love the lyrics.  At the beginning, I just felt he was too low but as the song moves on it did get better.

Torpedo Of Truth

I love the pace and music at the beginning.  There is a some nice drumming on this track.  There is some nice guitar playing with some nice guitar solos.  I love the singing with the back up singing.  The lyrics are well written but I am not liking the title of the song that much along with the chorus.  I am really not liking this song so much.  I could do without it on this record.

Storm Chaser

I am loving the bass playing and drumming at the beginning.  I am not liking the guitar playing so far on this song.  The singing seems a little off and not really fitting with the song  The lyrics are really below average.  They could do so much better.  Some of these songs on this record are starting to sound the same.  There is a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song.  It seems every song on this record does not need a guitar solo.  This song could live without a guitar solo.

The Sun Also Rises

I am loving the acoustic guitar at the beginning.  It is about time.  I have been waiting for one song like this.  I love the bass playing in the background.  I love the singing and lyrics.  The main part of the song sounds just like an old Iron Maiden song.  The singing like some from White Lion.  I am really liking this song.  It has a nice driving song.   This song is way too long unless.  I love change of the music at the half way point.  Oh!  Once again another guitar solo.  I love how they ended this record.

Original Line Up:

Wyatt Anderson – Lead Vocals

Jon Leon – Bass And Guitar

Erik Kluiber – Guitar

Jesse Appelhans- Drums

Current Line Up:

Joseph Michael – Vocals

Jon Leon – Guitar And Bass

Jake Dreyer – Lead Guitar

Will Wallner – Guitar

Giovanni Durst – Drums

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.facebook.com/WhiteWizzard

Twitter:  @whitewizzard

Closing, I have enjoyed this band since their start and I will always buy their music.  I have to say this record has some great songs but overall it is pretty disappointing.  I know in the past hard rock and metal music had guitar solos in their songs.  I just felt they went over the top on the guitar solos.  No to plug one of their songs.  The singer is spot on to the original singer.  I am pretty worried about this band and their future.  They only have two members in this band at this time.  I know this band went through several line up changes but I hope they can get it together again.  There is some well written songs on this record and there are songs you will be skipping.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Music Monday The Black Dahlia Murder Everblack

In this Mondy Music blog, we are going to get into the latest record from The Black Dahlia Murder from Michigan.  The record is Everblack which is their sixth studio record in their music career.  We are going to get into the history and then the music.  Here is the history.

History

The Black Dahlia Murder was formed in late part of 2000 in Waterford, Michigan.  It was named after unsolved murders.  They were signed to Metal Blade Records in 2003.  Ryan Williams joined the band to replace David Lock just in time to record their first record, which is “Unhallowed.”  The band toured and then released their second record, which was “Miasma,” in 2005.  After the tour for Miasma, Zach Gibson, who was the drummer, and Pierre Langlois, who was drummer, left the band.  Pierre was on drums after Gibson.  The band replace Zach Gibson with Shannon Lucas.  In 2007, the band released their third record, which was “Nocturmal.”  The band went on a World Tour with Cannibal Corpse to support their new record and celebrate 25 years of Metal Blade Records.  In 2008, they joined tour with several different metal bands for Summer Slaughter Tour.  After the tour, John K guitarist left the band and was replaced with Ryan Knight in 2009.  In the later part of 2009, the band released their fourth record, which was “Deflorate.”  They tour to support the record.  In 2010, they kept on touring while writing their next record.  In 2011, they released their fifth record, which was “Ritual.”  In 2012, the band gets another line up changes.  Max Lavelle replaces Ryan Williams on bass.  Shannon Lucas steps down as the drummer and was replaced by Alan Cassidy.  In 2013, the band released their new record called “Everblack.”  Let us get into the music.

Track List:

In Hell is Where She Waits For Me

Heavy and hard-hitting music at the beginning from the drums, bass, and guitars.  There is some talking but I can not make it out because it is not loud enough. The lead singer comes in screaming.  The guitar playing on the main part is solid.  The singing is the type you can barely understand what he is saying.  The lyrics that I have picked are pretty solid.  There is some nice back up singing too.  I love time changes towards the middle part of the song.  There is some nice double bass from the drums about that time.  This is a pretty solid song.  I love slower guitar solo at the beginning of it and then it picks up towards the middle and end of the solo.

Goat Of Departure

I love the guitar playing at the beginning.  The drumming is good but it starting to sound the same from song to song.  I love the lyrics they wrote for this song.  I really not a fan of the back up singing on this song.  I love the guitar solo towards the end of the song.

Into The Everblack

I love the guitar work and the drums fit perfectly even though it is the same beat. It changes a bit when the singer comes into the song. I hate the chopping guitar playing. I get it fits but it sounds very messing during the main part of the song. I love the keyboard part in this song. It gives a break to the same old in the song and the record. The guitar playing coming out of it. It is some pretty impressive playing. It leads into a short guitar solo.

Raped in hatred By Vines of Thorn

I love the guitar playing at the beginning and the slower drum beat. This song has a nice pace and I love it. It gives you a different feeling unlike the rest of the record. I love double bass but this is a bit overkill. I love the lyrics and the singing. The listeners can understand the singers a bit. I do not know how I feel about the lyrics but it is what it is. There is a pretty well written guitar solo towards the end of the song.

Phantom Limb Masturbation

The song starts with the vocals in your face. This song echos the songs at the beginning. The drumming slight different but about the same. I love the lyrics they placed on this song. I love the chorus music. There is a nice short guitar solo at the quarter point of this song. There is another guitar solo towards the middle part of the song that is a little longer than the last one. This one is a little well thought about it. I love the pace of the music and solo itself.

Control

Just like the last song, the vocals start it out but the music is right there after the start of the song. I cannot pick up the lyrics. There is some well written guitar riffs on this song. The drums are pretty complex and well written. He has been kicking some serious ass throughout this record. This song is short and to the point. There is a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song and I love how the guitar solo keeps on going to the end of the song.

Blood Mine

I love the guitar playing and bass too. The drums can let off on the double bass at least one song please. Asides that, I have been loving the drums towards the end of this record. I cannot understand the vocals so I cannot pick up the lyrics. I love the title of the song. I am not sure on the duo singers at least on this song. There is a guitar solo towards the end of the song but it is short and sweet to the point.

Every Rope A Noose

Oh my God, I love the drumming at the beginning. It has pretty awesome beat. I love the guitar playing. I love the singing but I cannot understand the singers. This song has a nice fast pace and it is perfect towards the end of the record. The double bass makes so much sense at this point of the song. There is a well placed guitar solo towards the end of the song. There is a nice piano playing at the end that comes into full focus to end the song.

Their Beloved Absentee

I love the singing from the group of singers at the beginning but they were so far in the background and volume is to low. This is a straight driving song. It has a nice pace. This is a classic extreme metal song.  I love the pace. I love the music on this track. I love the guitar solo towards the end and it is well placed.

Map Of Scars

There is some nice well-written music from the drums and guitars. The bass playing is pretty simple but it is perfect. I cannot understand the singer so I cannot judge lyrics. I guess I could look up the lyrics on the net.  This is a perfect song to finish a great record from this Michigan band.   Great song and nice ending to this record.

Original Line Up:

Trevor Strnad – Vocals

Brian Eschbach – Guitar

John Kempainen – Guitar

David Lock – Bass

Cory Grady – Drums

Current Line Up:

Brian Eschbach – Guitars

Alan Cassidy – Drums

Max Lavelle – Bass

Ryan Knight – Guitars

Trevor Strnad – Vocals

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.facebook.com/theblackdahliamurderofficial

Twitter:  @bdmmetal

Closing, overall, this is a great record and I really enjoyed this song.  I wish I could understand the singers a bit more but I understand because it is the singing style.  There is some nice music on this great. I kind of wish drums were a little bit different from song to sing but that is hardest job in this band.  I get what he is trying to do and it is pretty limited.  They place guitar solos in the right spots to break up the song. I love how some times the guitar solos keep going during main part of the song at the end. It gives a nice and different sound. Great Job! It is a nice touch for someone that does not like this singing type but love the music. It seems every song of this type of metal needs a guitar solo to break up song.  If they do not put the guitar solos in the songs, the songs will become white noise.  I love this band and I cannot wait to hear their next record.  I highly recommend this band and this record.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13

New Music Monday Blog Five Finger Death Punch The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell Volume 1

In this New Music Monday Blog, we are going to get into their fourth studio record, which his called “The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell Volume 1.”  There will be a volume 2 release in the later part of 2013 and that will their fifth studio record.  We are going to get into the history of this band and then the music.  Let us get into the history.

History:

Five Finger Death Punch was formed in 2005 by Zoltan Bathory, who is the guitar player, and Jeremy Spencer, who is the drummer.  Zoltan Bathory was a bassist in his old band which was called U.P.O.  Matt Snell joins the band in 2006.  The band recorded music and then send it to Ivan Moody in Denver.  The band named themselves after some classic martial arts movies.  Ivan later that year flew out to Los Angeles.  They began to record their first studio record, which was called “The Way Of The Fist.”  The band did not have a second guitar player, however, Stevo “Shotgun” Bruno and Mike Sarkisyan recorded parts on the record while being mixed by guitarist Logan Mader.  Caleb Andrew Bingham joined the band for a few shows as their second guitar player.  He was later replaced by Darrell Roberts.  During this time, the band signed with the record company, which was “The Firm.”  In 2007, the band released their first EP, which was called Pre-Emptive Strike through American Itunes.  “The Way Of The Fist” was released in 2007 and enter the Billboard Charts Top 200 at #199.  They went on several major tours to support their first record.  They were on the Maythm Festival and Korn’s Family Values Tour.  They supported Disturbed during this time too.  The band re-release “The Way Of The Fist” in 2008 with few bonus tracks.  “Never Enough” was added on to the record and became the band’s second single off the record.  Darrell Roberts was asked to leave and was replaced by Jason Hook in 2009.  The band stop touring and supporting their first record at this time too.  “War Is The Answer” which is their second studio record was release in 2009.  It entered the Billboard Charts at #7.  The record had several singles including the cover of Bad Company’s song, which was “Bad Company.”  This is one of my favorite cover songs from a hard rock and metal band.  The band went into the studio to work on their third record, which was called “American Capitalist.”  The record was released in the later part of 2011.  The band brought in bassist Chris Kael to replace Matt Snell, who departed from the band.  The band had some success with this record but like their first two studio records.  They had several singles off “American Capitalist.”  Early part of 2013, the band began to work on their fourth record.  By May of 2013, the band announced they will be putting out two records.  “The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell Volume 1,” which is their fourth record and the one that will be review on this posted, and later in the year Volume 2 will be released.  The band realize they were writing some good tunes and they did not want to stop writing.  They dropped some tunes for a double studio record.  The band brought in several special guests and one was Rob Halford from Judas Priest.  They performed this song with Rob at 5th Annual Golden God Awards.  The second volume will be released in November, however, they just release the first single off that record called “Battle Born.”  Let us get into Volume One.

Track List:

Lift Me Up (Featuring Rob Halford Of Judas Priest)

There is some nice heavy guitars with the drums and bass.  The drums have a nice beat to it.  Ivan has a nice melody to his singing.  I am loving the lyrics.  I love how they are using Rob Halford on this song.  Their voices match really well.  This is a great opening track to this song.  Metal God still sounds great when he is singing.  I love the pace of this song.  There is a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song.  I love the ending of this opening track.

Watch You Bleed

I love the reverb on the singer’s voice and the nice acoustic guitar at the beginning.  I love the heavy guitars and the drums during the main part of the song.  Ivan wrote some nice lyrics on this song.  I love the fact that the drummer is using double bass during the main part of the song.  There is a nice guitar break that turns into a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song.  Nice touch on the ending of this song.

You

There is some nice music at the beginning.  I love the melody of this song.  Ivan wrote some nice lyrics on “You.”  I love the slower pace on this song.  It gives this record a different element.  This band reminds of Pantera back in the day.  I have to say they are today’s Pantera.  There is a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song.  It kind of feels forced into the song.  I am not a fan of the ending.

Wrong Side Of Heaven

I love the acoustic guitar with the second over the top of it in a semi guitar solo.  I love how they had the drums in the distance and it comes front.  I love Ivan’s clean vocals.  I love the lyrics.  They wrote some nice music on this title track.  There is a pretty good guitar solo towards the middle of the song.  I love how Ivan sings over the top of the back half of the guitar solo.

Burn MF

I love the heavy guitars and the drums highlighting parts at the beginning.  There is some solid bass playing on this song.  I am not fan of Ivan’s singing, however, the lyrics are solid.  The drums are insane on this song.  This song is straight to the point.  I love the ending.

I.M.SIN

I love the music at the beginning of this song.  I love  singing and lyrics on this song.  It fits the song and the theme.  Ivan wrote a nice melody to this song.  They pull a page out of Pantera’s music book and did the spoken words before a nice guitar solo.  I love the ending of this song.

Anywhere But Here (Featuring Maria Brink)

I love the heavy guitars at the beginning with a nice backing from the drums and bass.  I love the acoustic guitar with the heavy guitar at the front.  I love the melody and lyrics from Ivan.  I love the guitar solo at the back half of the song.  I wish they would use Maria more on this song.  There is another version of this song towards the end of this record.  It is part of the bonus tracks.  Why even have her on this song if you are not going to use her.

Dot Your Eyes

I love the drums and the guitar playing is pretty good at the beginning.  There is a simple but to the point bass playing.  This song reminds of “When Worlds Collide” from Powerman 5000.  The rhythm and melody from the singer and how the music is playing.  You can see that this band was influenced from the bands from the 1990’s.  I love how they are using the back up singers.  There is a nice guitar break at the end of the song.

M.I.N.E (End This Way)

There is some nice acoustic guitar playing at the beginning of this song.  I wish they used it more and more.  Ivan’s singing is good with some good lyrics.  I love how the bass and drums calm to fit theme of this song.  This song has a nice pace to it.  There is another forced guitar solo towards the middle of this song.  Can this band go one song on this record without a guitar solo?  They are well written but some are just forced into the song.

Mama Said Knock You Out (Featuring Tech N9Ne)

I love the guitar and drums at the beginning of this song.  This is the first cover on this record.  It seems like they always has a cover on all their records.  This is really bad.  I wish they did not do this song.  Are you kidding?  Really?!?!?!?!  This is the worse cover I have heard in a very long time.  I am good.  I cannot finish this song.

Diary Of A Deadman

I love the music at the beginning.  I am really not a fan of the spoken words on this song.  I love the guitar break.  These last two songs at the end of this record have been really disappointing.  I feel this is a bad way to end this great record.

I.M.SIN (Featuring Max Cavalra)

This is the first of three bonus tracks with guest singers.  “I.M.SIN” has lead singer from Soulfly, who is Max Cavalra.  I love the music as I said above.  I want to see how they work Max into this song.  They did a great job working him into this song.  I love this version better than the regular record one.

Anywhere But Here (Duet With Maria Brink)

This song features Maria Brink, who is the lead singer of In This Moment.  I love how they are using her on this version.  This is a better version.  They should have used this version on the main record not the other one.  There voices work well together.

Dot Your Eyes (Featuring Jamey Jasta Of Hatebreed)

“Dot Your Eyes” features Jamey Jasta from Hatebreed.  I love this version like the rest of the bonus tracks.  The second lead singer gives another element to the songs and music from this band.  This is a great song to end this record with the bonus tracks.

Orinigal Line Up:

  • Ivan L. Moody – Lead Vocals
  • Zoltan Bathory – Guitars
  • Darrell Roberts – Guitars
  • Matt Snell – Bass and Backing Vocals
  • Jeremy Spencer – Drums

Current Line Up: 

  • Ivan Moody – Lead Vocals
  • Zoltan Bathory – Guitars
  • Jason Hook – Guitars
  • Jeremy Spencer – Drums
  • Chris Kael – Bass

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.fivefingerdeathpunch.com

Twitter:  @FFDP

Closing, this record is by far their best work to date.  I am pretty impressed because I thought their last two records were their best.  This band is at the top of metal world right now and I do not see them going away anytime soon.  They remind me of a modern-day Pantera.  Is this what Pantera would be doing today if they were still around?  It is a great question.  There were only two songs on this great that I would do without.  It was the last two songs before the bonus tracks.  This is a solid record and I can see them doing really well with it along with their Volume 2.  Volume 2 will be out later part of 2013.  I highly recommend you checking out this great record.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser13@comcast.net

Twitter:  @djweiser